HC Deb 23 October 2003 vol 411 cc702-3W
Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much each absent parent is expected to contribute towards their children's care; who makes the decision on levels of payment; and what account is taken of the parents' work status. [128073]

Mr. Pond

In the new child support scheme non-resident parents with net incomes of over £200 will pay 15 per cent. of their net income for one child; 20 per cent. for two children and 25 per cent. for three or more children. Allowances will be made for any children in the non-residents parent's current household.

Those with net income over £100 up to and including £200 will pay a reduced rate on a sliding scale. Those non-resident parents with net earnings of £100, or on benefit, will pay a flat rate of £5.

Mr. Francois

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many full-time staff were employed by the Child Support Agency in Essex on 15 September. [132634]

Mr. Pond

In the month of September the Child Support Agency employed 80 full time staff and 25 part time staff in Essex.

Mr. Goodman

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what research he has commissioned on the cancellation of driving licences for those who have not properly maintained child support payments in(a) EU countries, (b) the USA and (c) Canada; and if he will make a statement. [134063]

Mr. Pond

In developing our proposals for child support reform we considered the experiences of a range of countries including the USA, Australia, Canada and a number of EU countries.

The powers in sections 14A (information-offences) and 39A to 40B (commitment to prison and disqualification from driving) of the Child Support Act 1991 are intended to help the Child Support Agency to secure compliance. Their success is in the extent to which non-resident parents co-operate with the Agency.

Harry Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what reports he has received of former Child Support Agency employees setting up businesses specialising in CSA cases; what assessment he has made of the implications of these businesses for the administration of the CSA; and if he will make a statement. [125659]

Mr. Pond

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 17 July 2003:

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.

You ask what reports he has received of former Child Support Agency employees setting up businesses specialising in CSA cases; what assessment he has made of the implications of these businesses for the administration of the CSA; and if he will make a statement.

I am aware of a number of bodies who offer a variety of services about child support, for example through internet sites ranging from shared experience to claiming to be able to influence maintenance assessments. I am also aware that some of the bodies attempt to validate their service by claiming to be ex-employees of the Child Support Agency. Where the advice offered is constructive and accurate I welcome its availability. When staff leave the Agency they are reminded of their responsibilities to keep confidential personal information gained during their service.