In section 9 of the Child Support Act 1991 (maintenance agreements), after subsection (2) there is inserted—

“(2A)

The F1Secretary of State may, with a view to reducing the need for applications under sections 4 and 7—

(a)

take such steps as F2the Secretary of State considers appropriate to encourage the making and keeping of maintenance agreements, and

(b)

in particular, before accepting an application under those sections, invite the applicant to consider with the F3Secretary of State whether it is possible to make such an agreement.”

In Schedule 5 to the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008 (maintenance calculations: transfer of cases to new rules), in paragraph 3, after sub-paragraph (2) there is inserted—

“(3)

The F4Secretary of State may before accepting an application required by provision under sub-paragraph (2)(b) invite the applicant to consider with the F4Secretary of State whether it is possible to make a maintenance agreement (within the meaning of section 9 of the Child Support Act 1991).”