"If the CSA can never be made to work, scrap it"- Stunell tells PM

5.45.21pm GMT Mon 28th Nov 2005

Following hundreds of local complaints about the Child Support Agency (CSA) and the Prime Minister's recent comments to the House of Commons that the CSA was not 'properly suited to perform its tasks', local MP Andrew Stunell has demanded that the PM publishes the delayed CSA strategic review, and scraps the CSA if necessary.

Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell said:

"It is a scandal that over £3 billion owed to children has never been collected by the CSA. That is £15 million owed to children in Stockport, all lost through the CSA's incompetence.

"Almost 200 constituents have come to me with shocking tales of CSA administrative blunders and agonizingly long waiting lists for assessment.

"The Prime Minister promised back in 1998 that he was looking urgently at reforming the CSA. But what we've got now is even greater chaos. We must scrap it and transfer its functions to the Revenue so it can best serve those who are trying to pay their maintenance and properly pursues those who aren't.

"I have written to the Prime Minister demanding that he publishes the strategic review conducted by the new Chief Executive of the CSA, and takes decisive action to end this scandal." ENDS

Notes to Editors:

During Prime Ministers questions on Wednesday 23rd December, the Prime Minister said: "...the previous government established the Child Support Agency in order to make sure that parents carried out their obligations to their children. The truth is the agency itself is not properly suited to carry out that task."