Passport cost of not paying child support

THOUSANDS of absent parents who owe a total of £6.7m in child maintenance will not be allowed to leave the country — until they pay up.

Passports and driving licences will be confiscated in the latest Government attempt to claw back the outstanding cash.

The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission (CMEC) replaced the Child Support Agency in November, 2008. It has more powers to try to enforce maintenance payments.

The Welfare Reform Bill enables CMEC to bypass the courts and order absent parents directly to give up their driving licences and passports until they have met their financial obligations.

According to latest Government figures, about 2,600 absent mothers or fathers are being chased across Oldham alone for the upkeep of their children.

It shows the huge problem ministers face in getting parents to pay up.

Work and Pensions Secretary, and Mossley MP, James Purnell said: “We are supporting parents in these tough times, but for those who choose not to support their own children, we will not stand by and do nothing.

“If a parent refuses to pay up then we will stop them travelling abroad or even using their car. We want fair rules for everybody and that means giving people the support they need, but in return expecting them to live up to their responsibilities.”

Chairman of the Commons’ powerful Work and Pensions Committee, Terry Rooney MP, said more measures were need to ensure the cash was clawed back.

He added: “You are talking about people who do not pay for their children so I am sure they will carry on driving without a licence.

“A passport may be more effective, but no government has ever been good at dealing with borders.

“These are punishments for not paying. We need to make sure there is an effective system to get the money. These parents need to remember it is their child or children who is being denied financial support and opportunities.”

Nationally, about £4 billion is owed in child maintenance payments. It is believed about £2 billion can be recovered.

MPs have been critical of the old CSA for years, with the powerful Commons public accounts committee branding it one of the “greatest public administration disasters of recent times” after a new IT system caused havoc and created a huge backlog.

Family law group Resolution called for an urgent rethink of the “draconian punitive measures on child support”.

Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher said: “Unquestionably people should pay the maintenance for their children.

“However, there may be certain circumstances why it cannot be paid and having a passport is a fundamental right.

“There should be a third party deciding whether that should be removed. In most cases, it would probably be agreed by the courts if deemed necessary.”