Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has undertaken a review of the results of the controlled approach to implementation of the power contained in the Child Support Management of Payments and Arrears (Amendment) Regulations 2012 allowing part payment of child maintenance arrears in full and final satisfaction of a debt where both parents consent; and if he will assess the merits of his Department adopting a pro-active rather than reactive approach to use of that power in suitable cases.

The Department continues to consider the merits of adopting a proactive approach to part payment of child maintenance arrears. However the immediate priority is to ensure the smooth running of the 2012 child maintenance scheme so that children benefit from regular ongoing maintenance payments and we will continue to do all we can to collect historic Child Support Agency arrears.