16/11/2005

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.

The most recent figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats showed that most compensation payments were small amounts, but according to reports today 40 individuals had received five-figure payments of between £10,000 and £50,000.

Figures obtained earlier this month by the Liberal Democrats Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary David Laws showed that that since the Child Support Agency reforms were introduced in March 2003, £118,370 in performance related bonuses has been paid to senior managers at the CSA.

Commenting on the bonus payments, Mr Laws said: "It is unbelievable that any bonus at all should be being paid within an organisation which is in chaos and failing children and families.

The latest figures have resulted in renewed calls for the CSA to be placed under the control of the Inland Revenue.

(SP/KMcA)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

12 February 2013
Met Officer Arrested In Operation Elveden Investigation
A serving police officer has been arrested in connection with allegations of illegal payments made by by journalists to public officials. The 50-year-old Metropolitan Police officer was arrested at his home in the Wimbledon area of London at 06:00 on Tuesday morning.
17 January 2013
Two Police And Journalist Arrested By Operation Elveden
Three people have been arrested as part of the investigation into inappropriate payments made to police and public officials. It is understood that two serving police officers and a journalist were arrested at their homes in Hertfordshire and Surrey by officers from Operation Elveden.
16 September 2010
Public Sector Should 'Stick To Payment Target', Says Business Forum
The UK's public sector should retain its existing target of paying small firms in 10 days despite a new ruling to make 30 days the standard across the European Union (EU).
25 November 2003
£300m CSA system fails 'majority' of applicants
A £300 million computer system for the Child Support Agency (CSA), which was intended to speed up cash payments to thousands of single parents, has managed to get cash to less than 4% of applicants.
18 March 2015
UK Unemployment Rate Falls
The UK's unemployment rate has fallen to 1.86 million, new official figures have revealed. In the three months to January, the number of those out of work fell by 102,000. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) added that the unemployment rate remains at 5.7%, but the number of people in work increased to a record high in the quarter.