25 April 2002

 CO/4463/2001

 

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE

QUEEN'S BENCH DIVISION

ADMINISTRATIVE COURT

 

BETWEEN

THE QUEEN

On the application of

KEVIN BARBER  Claimant

‑and

 

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WORK AND PENSIONS  Defendant

 

WITNESS STATEMENT OF IAN JAMES SPRAWSON

 

WITNESS STATEMENT OF IAN JAMES SPRAWSON   1

The facts of the present case  3

The claim for CHB   3

The Claimant's liability for child support  5

Other benefits   6

Child Benefit: the underlying policy  7

Public attitudes towards Child Benefit   7

Child benefit and current policy  8

Entitlement to Child Benefit  8

Competing claims to Child Benefit   8

The limited preference for women over men   10

The administration of Child Benefit  12

Applying for Child Benefit   12

The processing of Child Benefit claims   12

Child Benefit and Home Responsibilities Protection   14

Child Benefit as a passport to other benefit entitlements   15

Regulation 34 of the 1987 Regulations   16

The consequences of splitting entitlement to CHB   17

Increase in number of competing claims   17

A