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The Minister in charge of the child maintenance system has promised intensive action against irresponsible parents who have failed to support their children after separation.

It comes as new figures show sharp increases in the use of key enforcement powers against parents who refuse to pay. Deduction Orders - where money is removed directly from debtor’s accounts - have trebled since 2009. Driving disqualifications for non-payment have risen eightfold since 2008.

Child Support Agency data also shows that more than 5,000 past and current CSA cases are over £50,000 in arrears.

Work and Pensions Minister Maria Miller:

“These shocking figures underline the long- term failure of a system that has let down countless families. We are now taking tougher action against those who have refused to pay. All parents who are still owed CSA arrears can be assured that we will take all reasonable steps to recover this money for them.”

The Government has announced that, as part of the restructuring of the child maintenance system, an extra £20 million will be made available to support families going through divorce or separation. 

The money will help families work out their own arrangements, rather than trapping them in the current outdated system, which has been shown to be expensive and divisive and does not put children first.

A typical case in the Child Support Agency can cost the taxpayer around £25,000, rising to around £40,000 if enforcement action is needed. Many parents already share the care of their children and it is estimated that if those made their own arrangements for maintenance this could save the taxpayer £45m per year.

Iain Duncan Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said:

"This is about helping to put children first in what is a difficult and traumatic time for all concerned. Most parents want to come to arrangements with a minimal disruption to their children and by offering them the right support we can help make this the case.

"We need to radically re-think the support we provide to separating parents to place family responsibility and the welfare of children at its heart. Our plans to reform the child maintenance system will enable parents to come to their own family-based arrangements which work far better for children."

The Government has launched a three month consultation on planned structural changes to the child maintenance system. The proposals involve transferring the functions of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission into the Department for Work and Pensions, under direct Ministerial control.

A father who hadn't paid child support for his daughter for over 16 years has had a record sum of money seized from his bank account, reports the Telegraph.