Child maintenance
In December 2006 the Government published its Child Maintenance White Paper building on the recommendations of Sir David Henshaw who had been asked to advise on the redesign of the child maintenance system.
The White Paper outlined a fresh start for child maintenance and set out a comprehensive path for the delivery of a new child maintenance system.
The reform of Child Maintenance policy and delivery was taken forward in the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act which received Royal Assent in June 2008.
Full child maintenance disregard
The Full Child Maintenance Disregard applies from 12 April 2010. The parent with care will keep all child maintenance paid, without it affecting any income-related benefits they receive, though they must continue to tell Jobcentre Plus of all maintenance payments received.
The introduction of the full disregard ends the revenue recovery function of the child maintenance system and focuses it on parental responsibility and tackling child poverty. This meets the Government’s commitment made in the December 2006 Child Maintenance White Paper, to significantly increase the child maintenance disregard.
For more information visit www.childmaintenance.org
The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission
The reforms paved the way for a new Crown Non-Departmental Public Body, the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission, to take responsibility for child maintenance in Great Britain.
The Commission’s primary objective is to maximise the number of effective child maintenance arrangements in place (either private or statutory) for children who live apart from one or both of their parents.
On 1 November 2008, the Commission took over responsibility for the Child Support Agency functions, staff and estates.
Key child maintenance documents
The Henshaw report
Sir David Henshaw reported his findings on redesigning child support on 24 July 2006.
The Government responded to Sir David Henshaw’s report in July 2006.
Responses to Child maintenance White Paper
These responses were published in May 2007.
- Summary of responses to the White Paper (651KB)
- Crynodeb o’r ymatebion i’r ymgynghoriad (Welsh) (1.31MB)
- Reply by the Government to the Work and Pensions Select Committee report on the White Paper (223KB)
Child maintenance White Paper
- White Paper – A new system of child maintenance (745KB)
- Questions and answers for Child Support Agency clients (This link will take you to The Child Support Agency website)
- Summary of the White Paper (250KB)
- Regulatory Impact Assessment (237KB)
The Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act
- Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act (Office of Public Sector Information website)
- Regulatory Impact Assessment (702KB)
