§ Ms KellyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment the CSA has made of the contact rate between non-resident fathers and their children; and if he will make a statement. [104875]
§ Angela EagleNo such assessment has been made as liability for child support is not linked to whether a non-resident parent has contact with his child(ren).
However, research1 Shows that there is a consistent relationship between contact and the payment of child maintenance, although it is difficult to establish causality. Those who are currently paying maintenance tend to have a greater level of contact with their children than those who do not. Additionally, research2 suggests that non-resident parents would be less likely to pay the full amount of their maintenance assessment if they lost contact with their children.
1 "Parental Obligation: a Study of Parenthood across Households" MacLean and Eekelaar (1997), "Absent Fathers?" Bradshaw et al (1999).
2 Bradshaw et al (1999).