CSA must be replaced

12.46.11pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 25th Jul 2006

Lib Dems want the CSA replace with a more effective organisation

Andrew Simpson has called for the CSA to be replaced with a more effective and powerful organisation following the announcement from the government to reform the agency.

"What the government is proposing is essentially a re-branding exercise, leading to further delays and gimmicks. This is the tenth year of CSA incompetence under Labour, who are consistently failing single parents and their children" Andrew said.

Reacting to the announcement, Lib Dem Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, David Laws said: "Since 2005, we have had one government review of the CSA, one government redesign and now we are offered further consultation with no action until 2008. People are entitled to much more rapid action to replace the least effective child support system in the developed world.

Setting out the Liberal Democrats longer term proposals for administration of child support, Andrew said: "The Liberal Democrats believe the CSA should be scrapped, and its responsibilities transferred to HM Revenue and Customs. After an initial transition period, the new system would maintain a simple, tax-like formula for assessing maintenance, and be able to make deductions from income if payments did not start within 28 days.

"There would also be a new statutory requirement on non-resident parents to report a change of address or change of job. These measures would be far more effective in helping lone parents and children than any number of headline-grabbing gimmicks dreamt up by this Labour government."

For further information on the Lib Dem's pensions & benefits policies go to: http://www.libdems.org.uk/benefits/