NO: GWEN VAUGHAN, chief executive, Gingerbread
Gingerbread believes that this measure will not make a financialdifference to a vast number of lone parents claiming benefits. A keyissue is that, in many cases, the private firms will be acting oninaccurate information. The majority of cases are still on an oldsystem, which was changed in 2003. This was very complex and producedhigh assessments as well as many mistakes. The lack of regulation isalso a concern, as is the general lack of information about exactly howthey will be used.
YES: KATE GREEN, chief executive, Child Poverty Action Group
It is good that ministers are at last taking enforcement and thecollection of outstanding debt so seriously, but the devil will be inthe detail: what methods will firms use, how will they be regulated andhow much of the debt they collect will be kept as profit? Recoveringdebt and ensuring absent parents pay up is only a part of the ChildSupport Agency's job. The key test of the proposals will be whetherbillions of pounds of outstanding maintenance money begin to reach thechildren who need it.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
