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£3.5bn owed in child maintenance £3.5bn owed in child maintenance
(about 2 hours later)
Absent parents owe a total of £3.5bn in maintenance payments for their children, according to figures released by the Child Support Agency.Absent parents owe a total of £3.5bn in maintenance payments for their children, according to figures released by the Child Support Agency.
The quarterly statistics showed that the shortfall at the end of the 2005/06 financial year was £242m greater than the previous year.The quarterly statistics showed that the shortfall at the end of the 2005/06 financial year was £242m greater than the previous year.
But the agency said the average monthly increase in the amount owed had slowed from £23m to £20m.But the agency said the average monthly increase in the amount owed had slowed from £23m to £20m.
In the quarter ending last month, the CSA collected 88% of the money due.In the quarter ending last month, the CSA collected 88% of the money due.
This was broadly the same as in previous quarters.This was broadly the same as in previous quarters.
The CSA is due to be replaced by the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission (CMEC) from 2008.The CSA is due to be replaced by the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission (CMEC) from 2008.
CMEC will have the power to dock wages and withdraw the passports of absent parents.CMEC will have the power to dock wages and withdraw the passports of absent parents.
The power to impose curfews and confiscate driving licences will also be given to that commission.