St. Albans
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Broken home children helped
CHILDREN whose parents have separated have received almost £2 million in the district over the past year.
Last year the Child Support Agency (CSA) collected or arranged £1billion nationally and £1,929,800 of this sum went to children in St Albans.
The CSA ensures parents who live apart from their children contribute financially to their upkeep by paying child maintenance.
Eight hundred St Albans children have benefited from the pay-out, which equates to around £2,500 per child.
The agency says the results are part of a three-year improvement programme.
However, MP Anne Main says there has been no improvement in St Albans since 2005.
She said: "On the face of it, these figures seem to show that, in terms of collections of maintenance in CSA cases, there has been no improvement in St Albans.
"This is not in line with the rest of the country, where there have been significant improvements in collection levels.
"Unfortunately, this seems to be indicative of a patchy delivery system in the CSA nationally, and this is worrying.
"I have been contacted by a number of constituents with sad cases where the failures of the CSA have led to further deteriorations in family relationships and I know they are keen to see an improvement in operations."
Mrs Main has raised concerns about the CSA in the past, particularly about discrepancies in figures between the CSA figures and the actual money paid to the child.
CSA Minister James Plaskitt said: "It is excellent news that we are getting more money to more children.
"Existing CSA clients should be reassured that they will continue to see further improvements when the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is established later this year."
CSA chief eExecutive Stephen Geraghty, added: "The Child Support Agency and its improvement plan has delivered real enhancement to the child maintenance system.
"In the meantime, the CSA will continue to pursue parents who evade their financial responsibilities. Our message to them is clear. Act now or we will."
10:49am Tuesday 13th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Bob, St Albans on 2:56pm Tue 13 May 08
At last, a Review story designed to please, apart from the Charles Dickens headline.
Why? Because for once the media has managed to re-write a CSA inspired press release without any of the traditional man bashing references to absent/feckless fathers.
At last, a Review story designed to please, apart from the Charles Dickens headline.
Why? Because for once the media has managed to re-write a CSA inspired press release without any of the traditional man bashing references to absent/feckless fathers.
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