Government's proposed child maintenance Reforms : Fifth report of session 2010-12, Vol. 2: Oral and written Evidence

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 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.

The proportion of children living in households headed by single women is more than one in five. There is concern (and some evidence) that children of single parents are less likely to be successful adults. The book discusses the trends in public debate about this problem. In particular, it examines the issue of providing public assistance to such families and whether doing so fosters long-term welfare dependency.

Provides a comprehensive, critical, and case-focused introduction to family law. Hayes & Williams' Family Law helps students to gain a firm understanding of family law principles, the developing law, and key reform debates.

Provides a comprehensive, critical, and case-focused introduction to family law. Hayes & Williams' Family Law helps students to gain a firm understanding of family law principles, the developing law, and key reform debates.

Dated May 2012. On cover and title page: Administered by the CSA division of the Commission