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More children in the East of England continue to benefit from financial support from their parents.

Government Communications (NDS)

10 February 2011

Child Support Agency (CSA) figures show the number of East of England children benefiting from regular child maintenance now stands at 74,190, up from 70,170 in December 2009. Payments were received in 76% of cases in the final quarter of 2010 up from 74.8% in the same period in 2009. Across Britain, CSA compliance rates have improved sharply since 2005 when more than a third of parents were ignoring their obligations in each quarter. Forest Heath (76.2%) and Brentwood (82.4%) were the most improved areas in the East of England, with Brentwood increasing by over 10% since December 2009. A total of £110.5 million was collected or arranged by the Agency during 2010, of which £12.6 million was arrears recovered.More than £1,146m in maintenance was collected or arranged in 2010, up from £1,135m in the previous year. Total unpaid arrears - accumulated over the entire 17-year lifetime of the Child Support Agency - remained stable at around £3.8 billion. The rounded headline arrears figure has remained unchanged since March 2008 as the Agency continues its strategy of arresting the growth in arrears. “Most parents caring for children in the East of England can now reasonably expect to receive what they are entitled to through the Agency”, said Child Maintenance Commissioner Stephen Geraghty. “Once regular payments are flowing, parents should consider whether a collaborative, family-based arrangement might work better for them. It could help to keep both parents involved in their children’s lives, benefiting them all in the long term. “Information and support on all aspects of child maintenance and related issues is available free of charge from the Child Maintenance Options service by calling 0800 988 0988 or visiting www.cmoptions.org. The government has recently announced plans for the wholesale reform of the child maintenance system, creating new incentives for parents to make family-based arrangements. Those who cannot agree will be able to apply to the new statutory child maintenance service, which will be introduced from 2012. ENDS Notes to Editors The CSA’s Quarterly Summary of Statistics for October–December 2010 include new and additional information on the use of enforcement powers and details of the Agency’s performance by local authority area. The full release can be viewed here: http://www.childmaintenance.org/en/publications/statistics.html The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is the body responsible for the child maintenance system in Great Britain. Its role is to promote financial responsibility for children, provide the Child Maintenance Options information and support service and to develop and direct the statutory child maintenance service currently provided by the Child Support Agency. Under the Public Bodies Bill now before Parliament the Commission will become an executive agency of the Department for Work and Pensions. The Government’s proposed reforms of the child maintenance system are set out in DWP consultation paper ‘Strengthening families, promoting parental responsibility’ which can be viewed at: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations/2011/strengthening-families.shtml All separated parents are already free to set up their own child maintenance arrangements and can access free information and support service from Child Maintenance Options at www.cmoptions.org.