§ Paul HolmesTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Child Support Agency cases20W have been referred for consideration for consolatory payments in the last year, broken down by month; how many payments have been accepted and made in the last year, broken down by month; what has been the overall cost of such payments; and if he will make a statement. [125933]
§ Malcolm WicksThe 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 Mr. Doug Smith, dated September 2003:
The Secretary of State in replying to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
You ask how many Child Support Agency cases have been referred for consideration for consolatory payments in the last year broken down by month; how many payments have been accepted and made in the last year broken down by month; and what has been the overall cost of such payments; and if he will make a statement.
It is not possible to determine the number of referrals made for consideration of consolatory payments, but I can tell you the number of consolatory payments made in 2002/03:
April 1,012 May 873 June 630 July 853 August 757 September 506 October 673 November 648 December 518 January 752 February 593 March 628 Total 8,443 The overall cost of consolatory payments in 2002/03 was £660,615.