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MEP takes on Minister over Child Support payments

December 18, 2007 12:00 PM
Fiona Hall, Liberal Democrat MEP for the North East

Fiona Hall is asking the Minister to help people who are not receiving their child support payments from abroad.

Fiona Hall, Liberal Democrat MEP for North East England, has written to Peter Hain, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, to ask why the Government is opting out of regulations that would expedite the payment of child support where parents have moved overseas.

Fiona Hall has been contacted by constituents trying to claim child support payments from partners who have since moved abroad. At present this can be a lengthy and fruitless process because cases have to proceed through both countries' legal systems.

At EU level a proposal has been drawn up for a regulation on judicial co-operation in civil matters such as child support payments. This would simplify and speed up the process significantly. However, Fiona Hall has been made aware that the UK Government would opt out of such a proposal.

Commenting, Fiona Hall said:

"There are clearly many people in financial difficulties because of the current complications of collecting child support payments from abroad. Several in the North East have asked me for help.

"I have written to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions asking him to explain why the UK Government is opting out of this proposal for greater co-operation. The regulations would significantly improve the situation for many people struggling to get support from partners now living overseas.

"I have also asked the Minister what help can currently be provided to people in this predicament.

"I am curious why this Government, which has spent so many millions on the largely ineffective Child Support Agency, is unwilling to support EU regulations designed to help the collection of monies owed."

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