Child Support Agency failing Welsh families

7.02.20pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 24th Oct 2006

Commenting on the Child Support Agency's quarterly figures published today, Jenny Willott MP and member of the House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee, said:

"While the Government dithers on taking action, the CSA is continuing to spiral further out control, plunging vulnerable Welsh families ever further into poverty.

"It is shocking that it now takes an average of almost 500 days on average to deal with each case. Single parents are waiting record times to receive child support payments, while the costs of CSA administration skyrocket.

"Children in Wales and across the UK are now missing out on over £3.5 billion as a result of the CSA's failings.

"It is unacceptable that the Government should write off such a huge amount of money, depriving thousands of children in Wales of the support they are entitled to, whilst at the same time refusing to write off tax credit overpayments which were their fault."