CSA CHANGES MUST TACKLE ROOT PROBLEMS

Speaking ahead of the changes to the system of Child Support likely to be announced today Mike Weir MP, SNP Shadow Minister for  Work and Pension warned that headline grabbing measures like tagging were not enough and that  any changes must tackle the root problems of the system.

“The fundamental point at the root of any system of child support must be that the system is fair and transparent with the support of the majority of parents. The Child Support Agency failed dismally to achieve this aim and failed both parents with care and absent parents.”

“The government cannot get away with tabloid grabbing headlines about tagging and removal of passports. It is difficult to see how such measures will make any real difference to those whom the agency has failed.”

“The CSA was under funded from the outset and the technology never worked properly. It took far too long to set an award and was in too many cases totally unable to implement that award. Unless the new system tackles these fundamentals it will continue to fail.”

“It is not clear how they intend to deal with the massive arrears that already exist. Any new system must deal with these as well as creating a simpler system for the future.”