MP welcomes new maintenance plan

1:34pm Wednesday 27th December 2006

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STOURBRIDGE MP Lynda Waltho has welcomed plans to replace the troubled Child Support Agency with a tougher organisation.

A government White Paper proposes introducing a Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.

The new organisation will promote private agreements between parents and cut time taken to begin proceedings against non-paying parents to 31 days.

Currently action can take around 106 days if a non-resident parent fails to pay.

Lynda said: "It is vital parents take financial responsibility for their children and the proposals will give parents the power to do this while ensuring they are protected by a tougher, more effective system.

"Since becoming elected matters relating to the CSA have been one of my biggest caseload items."

The agency has a large office at the Waterfront, Brierley Hill, with over 1,000 employees drawn largely from the Black Country and major changes could spell an uncertain future.

Lynda said: "I am lobbying the minister for more detailed news on what proposals he has for the staff at the CSA.

"It is vital that this change in structure does not impact on the job situation locally."