Letters to the Editor

Wednesday, 16th November 2005

Government Must Scrap Incompetent CSA

SIR-

New figures obtained by the Lib Dems show that the CSA has made 35,558 payments for maladministration, some worth between £10,000 and £50,000, since December 2001. Charles Kennedy challenged Tony Blair to defend the agency’s “appalling track record” at PMQs, leading the Prime Minister to admit that the problems with the CSA were 'fundamental' and to hint that the CSA might be scrapped.
 
These 35,000 payments represent just the tip of the iceberg of maladministration and incompetence. Ministers have run out of excuses. We do not need to wait to the New Year for a statement on the future of the CSA. The new Chief Executive’s strategic review is completed and must be published without delay. Parents who view the CSA with nothing but contempt or despair need to know that its days are now numbered and that its functions will be transferred to the Revenue so that it better serves those who are trying to pay their maintenance and properly pursues those who aren’t.
ENDS

  Stephanie Dearden

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting

Notes to editors

1. More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4441190.stm
2. If you would like to arrange an interview with Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting Stephanie Dearden then please call 020-7771-2551 or 07985-649807 or 07754 583090
3. Official photographs here http://www.stephaniedearden.org/smd_mugs/index.htm