CSA Minister James Plaskitt gloats over money they’ve taken

June 3, 2008

James Plaskitt, the CSA Minister recently gloated that they’d taken £1billion in the UK last year, with nearly £2 million of that money going to children in St Albans.

The CSA claim they are doing good work in ensuring that children get money they are owed, stating that the money works out at £2,500 per child. MP Anne Main disagrees, saying there has been no visible improvement in St Albans since 2005. Who is correct I wonder?

On the face of it, these figures seem to show that, in terms of collections of maintenance in CSA cases, there has been no improvement in St Albans.

This is not in line with the rest of the country, where there have been significant improvements in collection levels.

Unfortunately, this seems to be indicative of a patchy delivery system in the CSA nationally, and this is worrying.

I have been contacted by a number of constituents with sad cases where the failures of the CSA have led to further deteriorations in family relationships and I know they are keen to see an improvement in operations.

Concerns over the amount money the CSA raise, compared with how much has actually gone to the child, have been raised by Mrs Main in the past. What is happening to the rest of the money? Who is pocketing the cash?

James Plaskitt on the other hand thinks the CSA have done a wonderful job as he buries his head in the sand and gives the usual rallying speech.

It is excellent news that we are getting more money to more children.

Existing CSA clients should be reassured that they will continue to see further improvements when the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is established later this year.

The Child Support Agency and its improvement plan has delivered real enhancement to the child maintenance system.

In the meantime, the CSA will continue to pursue parents who evade their financial responsibilities. Our message to them is clear. Act now or we will.

It’s a startling example of someone completely missing the point. The children are not getting the money their fathers are paying. Where is it going Mr Plaskitt?

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