The ineffective CSA is to be abolished and replaced by the all new Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.  C-MEC, as it is to be known, will have enhanced powers under new legislation to ensure that lone parents receive the maintenance payments due to them.
Statistics show that over half of the lone parents in this country do not even have maintenance orders or agreements to begin with.  Of those who do have an agreement in place over 30% are not being paid at present.
The current system relies on the parent who is absent to be honest and disclose their earnings so that the amount due can be calculated.  From 2010 the new commission will have the power to go to the Inland Revenue to find out what the absent parent’s gross earnings were for the last tax year.  The amount each absent parent is then liable for will be calculated using this figure.
For example, if the absent parent’s income were between £200 and £800 per week during the last tax year, then the rate would be 12% of their gross income for one child.  This rises to 16% for two children and then to 19% for three or more children.  If the child(ren) spends one night or more per week with the non resident parent then this amount is reduced.
The CSA has long been notorious for its failure to chase arrears. From 2009 the C-MEC will be given new powers, which will include being able to withdraw money directly from absent parent’s bank accounts without needing their permission. They will also have the power to seize passports until all arrears are paid in full and may even be empowered to place a curfew on a non-resident parent who still refuses to pay.
C-MEC’s plans to give both lone parents and non-resident parents more choices, From August 2008 a lone parent who is claiming Income Support or other means tested benefits will have the right to choose whether they are automatically referred to the C-MEC to have maintenance calculated.  Under the CSA this was not optional and referral was mandatory. There are also plans to open a child maintenance options helpline which will encourage parents to come to their own voluntary agreements, if possible, instead of going through C-MEC.
Personally I feel that the new powers that the C-MEC has are great. Absent parents who refuse to pay maintenance are guilty of neglecting their children, to whom they still have a duty of care, even if their partnership with the other parent has failed.  It is only right that they be made to pay up.  Equally I agree that these powers should only be executed where a voluntary agreement cannot be made. Many parents are able to keep their separation civil and agree to reasonable maintenance terms.  My only worry is that lone parents, whose exes are not so reasonable, may be pushed into unfair voluntary agreements to the detriment of their children’s wellbeing.