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£20 million for ‘broken child support system’ reforms.

Today ministers announced a radical overhaul of the Child Maintenance system claiming the current ‘outdated system’ doesn’t put children first when families separate or are in the process of separating.

Iain Duncan Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: "We need to radically re-think the support we provide to separating parents to place family responsibility and the welfare of children at its heart.”

The current cost of a typical case in the CSA (link opens in new window) is around £25,000 but can reach up to £40,000. It is hoped that by giving parents the ability to make their own arrangements will save the tax payer £45 million a year.

Karen Woodall, Director of the Centre for Separated Families, said: "We know that parents who make their own private arrangements are not only happier with them, but that those arrangements tend to last longer, work better and are more flexible in responding to children's changing needs."

Sources: Department for Work and Pensions (link opens in new window)

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