“John Hutton
is absolutely right to recognise that the CSA cannot continue
in its current form. Although millions of families that have been
failed by the CSA will be disappointed at having to wait for yet
another review, Ministers must now make some brave decisions.
Henshaw’s review is the last chance to get it right.
“Maintenance
money must start flowing quickly to families and children who
need it urgently, so CPAG welcomes the measures for tougher enforcement.
By contracting out debt collection and giving the CSA the power
to access credit reference records, we hope that outstanding money
will start to get through to children. In the longer-term, Henshaw’s
review must address the quality of administration of child support
as well as enforcement.
“While we
wait for the review in the summer, those parents still on the
old casework system must not lose out. Parents on the new system
who receive income support can keep up to £10 a week of
any maintenance collected, this should be extended to parents
who will be left on the old system.”
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