Unpaid child costs reach ‘shocking’ level

new figures show absent parents in Oldham East and Saddleworth owe a total of £8,050,900 in unpaid child maintenance — with another £6,960,600 in Oldham West and Royton.

Mounting since the Child Support Agency was formed in 1993, the majority is owed to the caring parent with the rest owed to the Government in lieu of income-related benefits before the system was changed.

Work and Pensions Minister Maria Miller said: “These shocking figures underline the long-term failure of a system that has let down countless families.

“We are now taking tougher action against those who have refused to pay. All parents who are still owed CSA arrears can be assured that we will take all reasonable steps to recover this money for them.”

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