HC Deb 29 April 2003 vol 404 cc10-1WS
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr. Andrew Smith)

I am today able to announce the annual performance targets in 2003–04 for the Child Support Agency, one of the Department for Work and Pensions' Executive Agencies.

The targets I have agreed are set out below.

Further information on the plans of the Child Support Agency in 2003–04 is contained in its business plan, which has been published today. Copies have been placed in the Library.

Reducing poverty through compliance: Maintenance Calculations—New and Old Scheme The Agency will increase the proportion of new applications that result in maintenance calculations for: Old scheme cases by 3 percentage points; and New scheme cases by 23 percentage points. Case Compliance—New Scheme To collect child maintenance and/or arrears from at least 78 per cent. of all cases with a maintenance liability using the Agency's collection service. Cash compliance—New Scheme To collect at least 75 per cent. of child maintenance and/or arrears due to be paid through the Agency's collection service. Cash and Case Collection—New Scheme To develop individual targets for case and cash compliance to measure the collection of current maintenance separately from arrears collection.

CUSTOMER SERVICE: Accuracy—New Scheme Accuracy on the last decision made for all maintenance calculations to be checked in the year to be correct to the nearest penny in at least 90 per cent. of cases. Throughput—New Scheme Payment arrangements for new scheme cases will have been established on average within 6 weeks. Customer perception To develop a customer perception target for introduction in 2004–05.

PRODUCTIVITY: To develop a unit cost target.

DEBT: To develop a debt management target.

Forward to