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09/02/2006
CSA faces radical makeover
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, John Hutton, has signalled a radical overhaul of child support services in the UK as well as a package of measures that will get tough on parents who shirk their responsibilities.
Announcing the review measures to MPs Mr Hutton branded the Child Support Agency's performance as "unacceptable".
A report is expected in July following a review or the operation.
He said that the system of child support in the UK needed to be completely redesigned and could never in its current state be made fit for purpose.
He announced that Sir David Henshaw will lead the work to redesign the system.
Mr Hutton made clear he would also take steps to improve the level of service experienced by parents using the existing agency. He announced a Child Support Agency improvement plan involving new investment of up to £120 million to clear the backlog of cases, sort out operational problems and get much tougher on parents who do not meet their responsibilities.
Mr Hutton told the House of Commons: “The sheer scale of resources required to transform the CSA clearly demonstrates that in its current state it is not fit for purpose.
“Collecting maintenance when relationships have completely broken down is an incredibly difficult task. Relationships come to an end, but responsibilities do not.
Mr Hutton declared: “I will not walk away from enforcing the law and getting tough on those who cheat their children out of the best possible start in life."
An operational review of the Agency which was conducted by Chief Executive Stephen Geraghty.
Mr Hutton said this review had confirmed just how deep-rooted the historic problems were, but the Government had a clear duty to those already using the agency to ensure it delivered for children and parents.
Last year the Child Support Agency collected around £600 million with 500,000 children benefiting.
Shadow Work and Pensions spokesperson Philip Hammond said the decision was the right one, but said the government must accept responsibility for what he said was a "lamentable failure" to deal with the problem earlier.
David Laws the Lid Dem spokesperson for Works and Pensions said the prime minister had said urgent reform was required in 1998, but "we are still waiting a clear decision."
(SP)
Announcing the review measures to MPs Mr Hutton branded the Child Support Agency's performance as "unacceptable".
A report is expected in July following a review or the operation.
He said that the system of child support in the UK needed to be completely redesigned and could never in its current state be made fit for purpose.
He announced that Sir David Henshaw will lead the work to redesign the system.
Mr Hutton made clear he would also take steps to improve the level of service experienced by parents using the existing agency. He announced a Child Support Agency improvement plan involving new investment of up to £120 million to clear the backlog of cases, sort out operational problems and get much tougher on parents who do not meet their responsibilities.
Mr Hutton told the House of Commons: “The sheer scale of resources required to transform the CSA clearly demonstrates that in its current state it is not fit for purpose.
“Collecting maintenance when relationships have completely broken down is an incredibly difficult task. Relationships come to an end, but responsibilities do not.
Mr Hutton declared: “I will not walk away from enforcing the law and getting tough on those who cheat their children out of the best possible start in life."
An operational review of the Agency which was conducted by Chief Executive Stephen Geraghty.
Mr Hutton said this review had confirmed just how deep-rooted the historic problems were, but the Government had a clear duty to those already using the agency to ensure it delivered for children and parents.
Last year the Child Support Agency collected around £600 million with 500,000 children benefiting.
Shadow Work and Pensions spokesperson Philip Hammond said the decision was the right one, but said the government must accept responsibility for what he said was a "lamentable failure" to deal with the problem earlier.
David Laws the Lid Dem spokesperson for Works and Pensions said the prime minister had said urgent reform was required in 1998, but "we are still waiting a clear decision."
(SP)
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13 December 2006
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Proposals for a tough new organisation to enforce child maintenance have been unveiled by Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton. The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission (C-MEC) will replace the Child Support Agency.
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Proposals for a tough new organisation to enforce child maintenance have been unveiled by Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton. The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission (C-MEC) will replace the Child Support Agency.
05 May 2004
Environment Agency warns of low eel and salmon stocks
The Environment Agency has announced that anglers can find fish in more rivers than at any time in the past century. However, the Our Nations’ Fisheries report conducted by the agency, also warned that stocks of certain fish species are at dangerously low levels.
Environment Agency warns of low eel and salmon stocks
The Environment Agency has announced that anglers can find fish in more rivers than at any time in the past century. However, the Our Nations’ Fisheries report conducted by the agency, also warned that stocks of certain fish species are at dangerously low levels.
25 July 2006
Child Support Agency to be scrapped
Plans to scrap the Child Support Agency and replace it with a "more streamlined and tougher new body" have been announced by Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton. The announcement follows the recommendations of an independent report on child support in the UK by Sir David Henshaw.
Child Support Agency to be scrapped
Plans to scrap the Child Support Agency and replace it with a "more streamlined and tougher new body" have been announced by Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton. The announcement follows the recommendations of an independent report on child support in the UK by Sir David Henshaw.
16 November 2005
CSA under fire for compensation payments
The beleaguered Child Support Agency was under more pressure today as it emerged that over 35,000 people have been paid compensation in the past four years.
CSA under fire for compensation payments
The beleaguered Child Support Agency was under more pressure today as it emerged that over 35,000 people have been paid compensation in the past four years.
28 January 2009
Consultation To End Child Poverty, Launched
The Government has today set out plans to make sure every child gets the best start in life by tackling child poverty, which can unfairly hold children back and prevent them reaching their full potential.
Consultation To End Child Poverty, Launched
The Government has today set out plans to make sure every child gets the best start in life by tackling child poverty, which can unfairly hold children back and prevent them reaching their full potential.
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