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Record maintenance payments and more children benefiting as Child Support Agency progress continues. [Amended Copy, Notes to Editors Added]
The performance of
the Child Support Agency (CSA) has continued its steady
improvement with the latest figures setting new records both for
total maintenance payments and the number of children benefiting
from them.
Figures released today show that a total of £1,146.5 million in maintenance was collected or arranged over the year to September. Over 850,000 children are benefiting from CSA payments, continuing the upward trend that has seen an additional 260,000 children benefiting in the last five years.
Quarterly compliance rates show that more than three out of four
(76.5%) of parents with a maintenance liability made a payment,
down slightly from last quarter but still ahead of the annual
target of 76%. Compliance rates have increased by 6% since March 2009.
Total arrears of unpaid maintenance, accrued over the entire
17-year life of the Agency, fell by £21 million to £3.775 billion
over the year to September. Around 35% of the Agency’s workforce
is now deployed on pursuing non-compliant cases after an
additional 400 people were recently assigned to pursuing historic
arrears.
The number of CSA cases has also increased for the first time in almost two years with a rise of 3,100 cases in the last quarter.
Child Maintenance Commissioner, Stephen Geraghty, said: “All parents are free to make their own maintenance arrangements if they are able to. While more people are using the much-improved CSA, separated parents should first consider a private arrangement on mutually agreed terms. This more collaborative sharing of financial responsibility is often better for parents and better for their children. The Child Maintenance Options service is ready with information and support to help parents decide what’s best for them.”
The number of ‘uncleared’ applications for maintenance remained
steady at 19,300, dramatically reduced from its peak of 317,500 in
December 2004. Most cases (88.1%) were cleared within 12 weeks,
with the vast majority (93.4%) cleared in 18 weeks.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is the
non-departmental body responsible for the child maintenance system
in Great Britain, including the Child Support Agency and Child
Maintenance Options. Under the forthcoming Public Bodies Bill, the
Commission will become an executive agency of the Department for
Work and Pensions.
2. The Child Maintenance Options service can be accessed by
calling 0800 988 0988 or visiting online at www.cmoptions.org
Contacts:
NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the issuing dept
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Charlotte Simmons
Phone: 020 7853 8083
charlotte.simmons@childmaintenance.gsi.gov.uk
Miles Fletcher.
Phone: 020 7853 8084
miles.fletcher@childmaintenance.gsi.gov.uk
