The new statutory scheme

As part of the new child maintenance system, the Commission will introduce a new ‘gross income’ statutory scheme in 2011.

This scheme will adopt a faster, more transparent process for calculating child maintenance, using information from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. Child maintenance will be calculated based on gross rather than net income.

The latest available tax year information will be used as the basis for the calculation, which will be fixed for a year unless income varies by more than 25%.

On top of the Child Support Agency’s current powers, the Commission will have additional sanctions it will be able to deploy across the statutory maintenance service, enabling it to ensure parents meet their financial responsibilities.

The Commission will use all the powers at its disposal against those who try to evade payment. This will include the use of credit reference agencies, bailiffs and debt collectors, to get more money for more children.

It is anticipated that the first applications to the new scheme will take place in 2011.