HC Deb 13 February 2001 vol 363 cc126-7W
Mr. Ruane

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many CSA compensation claims have been made; how many and what percentage of these claims were instigated by(a) the CSA on behalf of their clients and (b) the clients directly; and what was the average amount of compensation paid in the cases brought by (i) the CSA on behalf of their client and (ii) the clients directly. [149792]

Angela Eagle

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to my hon. Friend.

Letter from Mr. Doug Smith to Mr. Chris Ruane, dated February 2001: I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency. The Agency will consider making a compensatory payment where a client has suffered an actual financial loss due to clear errors or delays on the part of the Agency. In addition, redress can be considered for inconvenience, embarrassment or severe distress caused by the actions of the Agency. These latter (consolatory) payments can be paid over and above any other payments to recognise that some impacts are other than financial. In 1999/2000 these made up 19% of the total compensation paid out. I am sorry I am not able to give you the information in the format that you requested. The Agency does not differentiate between those payments instigated by the client and those by the Agency. However, Table One in the attached annex shows compensation payments made from 1995/1996 to 1999/2000. Table Two shows a breakdown of the payments for 1999/2000. Although the Agency's caseload has continued to increase, in 1999/2000 the number of complaints reduced along with the number of compensation payments made. Where the Agency considers compensation because of Deferred debt, or loss of use of the money paid as compensation for delay and error, it is not necessary for a client to make a claim. The Agency considers such payments automatically. I hope this is helpful.

Table 1: Compensation payments made from 1995–96 to 1999–2000
Year Number Value
1995–96 186 114,000
1996–97 983 656,000
1997–98 2,136 1,101,000
1998–99 5,466 4,350,000
1999–2000 5,408 3,075,000

Table 2: Breakdown of compensation payments 1999–2000
Element
Consolatory 580
Financial Loss 2,119
Delay 291
Other 85
Total 3,075

Table 3: Deferred debt payments 1999–2000
Payment type £000
Deferred debt 2,024