CYP Now - Analysis: Child support - Will new agency give better deal?

A Bill proposes to scrap the Child Support Agency and replace it with a new body, C-Mec, which will have greater powers. But is this merely window dressing, or will it be a real opportunity to make a difference? Louise Hunt investigates.

The publication of the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill lastweek follows the Government's admission that the child support systemneeds reform (Children Now, 13-19 June).

The Bill proposes replacing the beleaguered Child Support Agency (CSA)with a new body, the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission(C-Mec).

Despite already having enforcement powers that include calling in debtcollection agencies and taking parents to court, the CSA is stillfalling short of its target of ensuring 65 per cent of parents withcustody received maintenance payments, although this has gradually beencreeping up in recent years.

At the end of March 2007, its caseload stood at 1.4 million, a two percent decrease on the previous year. And 61 per cent of cases had beenresolved.

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