The one parent family payment administered by my Department provides income support to unmarried and separated lone parents whose circumstances entitle them to payment under this scheme. This scheme replaced the separate schemes of deserted wife's benefit and deserted wife's allowance which were abolished on 31 December 1996. Persons benefiting under the latter schemes had their entitlements preserved where this was more advantageous to them. A total of 30,400 separated persons are receiving income support under these schemes.
Under Social Welfare legislation, a person has a legal responsibility to support his or her spouse and dependent children. In cases where maintenance is not being paid or is paid irregularly, my Department meets the income support needs of the dependent spouse and children under the schemes mentioned. In these circumstances, the other partner is legally liable to contribute to the cost of the payments and the Department has powers under the Social Welfare Acts to seek a contribution towards the payments. In implementing this provision the Department has concentrated on those cases where the liable relatives concerned, being in employment or self-employment, appear to be in a better position to make some contribution towards the relevant benefit or allowance to their families. This has proved to be a difficult and protracted process. However, out of a total of some 6,700 such cases, over £2 million has been collected from some 500 liable relatives through this system.
It is intended to continue with the development of this process, particularly in relation to those who are defaulting on their contribution obligations and with a view to the institution of civil proceedings for recovery of arrears in appropriate cases.
In addition to separated persons the maintenance liability provision now also applies since May 1997 to lone parents who are unmarried. The persons concerned are being advised of their obligation to seek maintenance in these cases and follow up action will be taken as appropriate.