Background and Summary Part 3 - Child maintenance
27.In both the Welfare Reform Green and White Papers the Government said it wished to look at the enforcement of child maintenance. Currently the courts have the power to disqualify from driving or commit to prison non-resident parents who have failed to pay child maintenance. The Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008 added to these powers the ability to impose a curfew or to disqualify from holding or obtaining travel authorisation. This Part makes provision to allow the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission to make the decision in the case of disqualification for holding or obtaining a driving licence or travel authorisation, with the court dealing with appeals against the Commission’s decision. These provisions will be piloted for a two year period.
28.This Part also includes amendments to the current statutory provisions relating to information offences.