Abstract
This chapter focuses on the operation and apparent failings of the 1991 Child Support Act and evaluated the root of these failings. This chapter links back to the work done in previous chapters, reiterating how policy failure was foreseeable and foreseen, but ultimately avoidable. It discusses in turn what led to the creation of a flawed policy, and also what allowed it to pass through Parliament with ease. The chapter argues that formation of legislation is the bottleneck of policy success or failure. The chapter ends by establishing the criteria of ‘perfect legislation’, arguing that these are an appropriate framework to guide policy-makers, policy analysts, and academics through the complexities of policy-making, and avoid policy failure.
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Notes
- 1.
The Group comprised of 15 formal members (Mildred Gordon, Sir Peter Fry, Liz Lynne, Jean Corstan, Ina Bruce, Anthony Steen, Llin Golding, James Arbuthnot, Neil Gerrad, Joan Lester, Bill Olner, Grenville Janner, Alan Simpson, Bryan Gould, and John Fraser), yet non-members were free to attend any meetings.
- 2.
Such as: House of Commons Social Security Committee (1993). The Operation of the Child Support Act, First Report—session 1993/94, HC 690. HMSO; House of Commons Social Security Committee (1994c). The Operation of the Child Support Act, Second Report. HMSO; House of Commons Social Security Committee (1994a). The Operation of the Child Support Act: Proposals for Change, Fifth Report—session 1993/94, HC 470. HMSO; House of Commons Social Security Committee (1994b). The Operation of the Child Support Act, First Report—session 1993/94, HC 69. HMSO.
- 3.
‘In large part’ was included as some of the detail of the formula and the processes surrounding it were ‘subject to regulations ’ which were not included in the original Bill.
- 4.
See for example the initial opposition voiced by Michael Meacher, the Shadow Social Security Minister, which highlighted many of the Child Support Bill’s flaws.
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McCarthy-Cotter, L. (2019). An Evaluation of the Failure of the 1991 Child Support Act. In: The 1991 Child Support Act. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98761-3_8
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