'2,600 families failed by CSA in Stockport' - Stunell

4.49.28pm GMT Wed 24th Jan 2007

2,600 Stockport families are missing out on vital maintenance payments by the CSA according to new figures released by the Liberal Democrats. The shock results show that the North West contains the highest number of families that are owed money which is supposed to be collected by the Child Support Agency - almost 60,000 families.

Commenting on the figures, Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell said:

"It is a disgrace that 60,000 families in the North West, almost 2,600 in Stockport, are being forced to live without money that is rightfully theirs. These figures are deeply worrying.

"The CSA has failed thousands of local single parent families, who are condemned to struggle every day to make ends meet.

"I am calling for the CSA to be abolished, and replaced with a new organization inside Revenue and Customs which has complete access to income details, and the ability to deduct money at source from those who refuse to pay.

"However, the Government has continually delayed reform of the CSA, preferring instead to implement expensive gimmicks." ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. The number of cases with an assessed/calculated maintenance liability which was not paid in full by the non-resident parent via the Agency's collection service, by Government office region, September 2006 are shown below:

North East 25,700

North West 57,400

Yorks/Humber 41,000

East Midlands 30,200

West Midlands 40,400

Eastern 33,400

London 41,200

South East 52,300

South West 36,500

Wales 25,800

Scotland 38,000