Section 137 — Welfare Reform Act 2012: Collection of child support maintenance

Collection of child support maintenance 137 1 The Child Support Act 1991 is amended as follows.

2 In section 4 (child support maintenance)—

a in subsection (2), the words from “or“ to “made” are repealed;

b after subsection (2) there is inserted— 2A The Secretary of State may only make arrangements under subsection (2)(a) if—

a the non-resident parent agrees to the arrangements, or b the Secretary of State is satisfied that without the arrangements child support maintenance is unlikely to be paid in accordance with the calculation.

3 In section 7 (right of child in Scotland to apply for calculation)—

a in subsection (3), for the words from “person with care” to “made or” there is substituted “ person with care or ” ;

b after subsection (3) there is inserted— 3A The Secretary of State may only make arrangements under subsection (3)(a) if—

a the non-resident parent agrees to the arrangements, or b the Secretary of State is satisfied that without the arrangements child support maintenance is unlikely to be paid in accordance with the calculation.

4 In section 29 (collection of child support maintenance), in subsection (1), after “may” there is inserted “ (subject to section 4(2A) and 7(3A)) ” .