Abolition and transfer of functions of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission

What’s it all about? The move to abolish the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission (CMEC) follows a recommendation that quangos should be axed unless they performed a technical function, require political impartiality or need to act independently. In its green paper Strengthening Families,
Promoting Parental Responsibility, the government announced plans to overhaul the statutory child maintenance system and encourage parents to come to their own arrangements. The abolition would see responsibility for these and future reforms transfer to the Work and Pensions Secretary.

What are the main points? In addition to improving ministerial accountability, the government believes that the transfer of responsibilities would allow for improved integration of child support delivery into the Department for Work and Pensions. The move is also designed to iron out ongoing technical problems, which have led to unnecessary costs and complications. CMEC staff would be transferred to the DWP.