CSA REFORMS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BUT PROBLEMS REMAIN

Angus MP Mike Weir, SNP Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions, has given a cautious welcome to the proposals for the reform of the Child Support Agency but warned that problems still remained and the government could not ignore the continuing difficulties.

“What is now proposed is a return to something like what existed before the Agency, with the exception that the “new” agency will take the role originally performed by the Courts.”

“ The decision to allow parents to come to an agreement, where possible, is sensible and will remove some friction from many situations.

“ It is not, however, a panacea to the problems of child maintenance. There will still remain a serious problem with those who refuse to pay . It is also important that it is not used by some parents to put pressure on others.”

“What is now urgently needed is a system that is fair, transparent and accepted by the majority of parents. Today’s announcement is a step on the right road but is not the complete solution.”

“The fact that there will be no transfer to the new system means that some may find they are having to start from scratch and effectively be operating two separate systems, before and after the change. That is unacceptable as multiple systems were the curse of the old Agency and caused severe frustration and anger. The government needs to look at this again.”

Mr Weir also criticised the “headline grabbing” leaks of new powers of enforcement by tagging and confiscation of passports.

“The problem with the Agency was never the lack of powers, it was its inability to set an assessment quickly and use the powers it had to enforce it. The new powers will make very little difference.”