This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6299469.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| £3.5bn owed in child maintenance | £3.5bn owed in child maintenance |
| (10 minutes 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. | The power to impose curfews and confiscate driving licences will also be given to that commission. |
| The CSA was set up in 1993 to ensure parents who do not live with their children pay for their upkeep. | |
| Reforms begun in 2003 cost £539m but the scheme worked no better than its predecessor. | |
| It has been estimated that one-third of non-resident parents pay nothing despite their maintenance being assessed. |