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18/01/2006
CSA reforms could see private firms chase absent parents
Private debt collectors could be set to take over the collection of money from parents who fail to pay child support.
Plans have emerged regarding efforts to reform the Child Support Agency (CSA), which has been under sustained attack for failing to meet a wide range of criteria.
The CSA is tasked with the responsibility for recovering maintenance from absent parents for the upkeep of their children. The agency has a variety of methods for retrieving the money, including court action and employing bailiffs.
A report published last year stated that the CSA was costing more to run than it recovered from parents, with only £8m reclaimed, in comparison to running costs of around £12m.
Recently Tony Blair admitted that the CSA, established in 1993, was “not suited to the job” and that it was extremely difficult to make the unit cost-effective, due to its combined roles of investigation, adjudication and enforcement.
The government has dismissed claims that the unit will be scrapped, but a review of the CSA is currently being carried out by its chief executive, Stephen Geraghty, with a report due early in 2006. It is thought that in addition to the employment of private debt collectors, that the Revenue and Customs agency could be about to take over the role of collecting maintenance payments, leaving a streamlined CSA with the task of assessing cases.
(CL/GB)
Plans have emerged regarding efforts to reform the Child Support Agency (CSA), which has been under sustained attack for failing to meet a wide range of criteria.
The CSA is tasked with the responsibility for recovering maintenance from absent parents for the upkeep of their children. The agency has a variety of methods for retrieving the money, including court action and employing bailiffs.
A report published last year stated that the CSA was costing more to run than it recovered from parents, with only £8m reclaimed, in comparison to running costs of around £12m.
Recently Tony Blair admitted that the CSA, established in 1993, was “not suited to the job” and that it was extremely difficult to make the unit cost-effective, due to its combined roles of investigation, adjudication and enforcement.
The government has dismissed claims that the unit will be scrapped, but a review of the CSA is currently being carried out by its chief executive, Stephen Geraghty, with a report due early in 2006. It is thought that in addition to the employment of private debt collectors, that the Revenue and Customs agency could be about to take over the role of collecting maintenance payments, leaving a streamlined CSA with the task of assessing cases.
(CL/GB)
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08 September 2005
CSA in ‘meltdown’ warns former minister
The Child Support Agency is in ‘meltdown’, the former welfare minister has warned. In an open letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair, Frank Field said that the CSA was now performing worse than it did in 1998, a year after Labour first came to power.
CSA in ‘meltdown’ warns former minister
The Child Support Agency is in ‘meltdown’, the former welfare minister has warned. In an open letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair, Frank Field said that the CSA was now performing worse than it did in 1998, a year after Labour first came to power.
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.
£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.
27 October 2008
Benefit Reforms Introduced
Welfare reforms that will change the way single parents apply for child maintenance have been introduced by the Government. Incapacity Benefit will end today for new claimants, and will be replaced with a new benefit - the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - which the Government said would mark the end of "writing people off".
Benefit Reforms Introduced
Welfare reforms that will change the way single parents apply for child maintenance have been introduced by the Government. Incapacity Benefit will end today for new claimants, and will be replaced with a new benefit - the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - which the Government said would mark the end of "writing people off".
13 December 2006
Government toughens stance on child maintenance
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.
Government toughens stance on child maintenance
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.
21 August 2009
Parking Enforcement 'Out of Control'
Growing parking enforcement in private car parks and the huge amounts of money being taken from drivers has reached 'epidemic' level, according to the AA. More than one in 10 drivers say they have been issued a private parking ticket over the last year and tens of thousands of people have had their car clamped or removed from private car parks.
Parking Enforcement 'Out of Control'
Growing parking enforcement in private car parks and the huge amounts of money being taken from drivers has reached 'epidemic' level, according to the AA. More than one in 10 drivers say they have been issued a private parking ticket over the last year and tens of thousands of people have had their car clamped or removed from private car parks.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
