This document sets out the Government's response to the report by the Work and Pensions Select Committee (HCP 219-I, session 2006-07; ISBN 9780215033109) on the Government's White Paper 'A new system of child maintenance' (Cm. 6979, ISBN 9780101697927) which was published in December 2006. An accompanying document (Cm. 7061, ISBN 9780101706124) which considers key issues that have been raised in response to the Government's White Paper, is available separately.

This document considers key issues that have been raised in response to the Government's White Paper, 'A new system of child maintenance' (Cm. 6979, ISBN 9780101697927) which was published in December 2006. The White Paper was based on the recommendations made by Sir David Henshaw in his report "Recovering child support: routes to responsibility" (Cm. 6984, ISBN 010168942X).

The Committee's report examines continuing concerns about the performance of the Child Support Agency (CSA), particularly in relation to its compliance and enforcement regime. Issues discussed include: the old and new child support schemes; performance targets and information management; the IT problems encountered; child support assessments; compliance targets and debt levels; enforcement measures in the UK and other countries, notably Australia; staffing issues including staff training, job cuts, pay and morale; and options for urgent action and longer term reforms. The CSA is found to be a failing organisation which is currently in crisis, and requires radical reform in order to provide an acceptable service. Senior management has failed to provide effective leadership through significant cultural shift, with deficient training given to frontline staff and inadequate monitoring procedures in place. The Committee strongly recommends that proposed job cuts be suspended until the Agency's business transformation programme, including its IT system, is proved to be fully functioning. If the recommended improvements are not made, the CSA may need to be wound up and alternative policies implemented to provide financial support and maintenance for children.

The Committee's report examines the Government's proposals to reform the child support system, as set out in the White Paper "A new system of child maintenance" (Cm. 6979, ISBN 9780101697927) published in December 2006, and following on from the report by Sir David Henshaw (Cm. 6894, ISBN 9780101689427) published in July 2006. The Committee welcomes the Government's reform proposals, including the eventual replacement of the Child Support Agency by a new body (Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission (C-MEC)) in 2008 and the fundamental shift proposed towards maintenance agreements privately agreed between parents. However, concerns are raised over the lack of detail for proper scrutiny of how the new system will work, particularly in relation to the provision of advice and guidance services. The report also highlights a number of inherent contradictions between the principles and practicalities of the proposals, for example how the reforms will impact on child poverty targets in relation to parents on welfare benefits, as well as regarding the transition arrangements for the transfer of existing cases onto the new scheme run by C-MEC. Concerns are also raised that whatever the merit of joint birth registration, tagging this highly sensitive matter onto child maintenance legislation will have wider ramifications for the family law system.

This popular, long-established textbook provides a clear and engaging account of a fascinating and dynamic subject, while also introducing current debates about the nature, scope and functions of the law, and discussing controversies surrounding the basic doctrines by placing them in a wider context. The book takes an applied approach and provides real life examples to illustrate how the law works in practice. This book is essential reading for law students taking undergraduate modules in family law and child law. Students on social work, social policy, health care and human rights courses will also find it invaluable, as will postgraduates and those studying the subject for professional purposes. New to this Edition: - In-depth information on new reforms to the law on domestic violence, now more appropriately referred to as 'domestic abuse' - Fully updated case law, particularly in respect of Supreme Court developments in the areas of divorce and civil partnership - Overview and analysis of the government's proposed reforms to the law on divorce - Up-to-date statistics - A discussion question in each chapter, with suggested ways to approach it on the companion website

A report that discusses the problems experienced in the child maintenance system since the establishment of the Child Support Agency in 1993. It covers the changes in legislation; the introduction of a 'twin-track' approach with the three year Operational Improvement Plan and the establishment of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.

Legislative Scrutiny : 1) Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill; 2) other bills, third report of session 2007-08, report, together with formal minutes and Appendices