CHILDREN in the East End are owed more than �11 million in unpaid child support payments. The cash is outstanding on money owed over the last 20 years, including some unpaid arrears dating back 20 years. Absent parents in the old constituency of Poplar an

CHILDREN in the East End are owed more than �11 million in unpaid child support payments.

The cash is outstanding on money owed over the last 20 years, including some unpaid arrears dating back 20 years.

Absent parents in the old constituency of Poplar and Canning Town have avoided paying some �6,567,000 in maintenance for their children whilst youngsters in Bethnal Green and Bow are owed �4, 603,000.

Nationally children are owed �3,761 million in unpaid maintenance according to government figures released by the Department of Work and Pensions.

Tower Hamlets cabinet member with responsibility for children's interests Shiria Khatun said: "It's saddening that any children will have had to suffer."

Gingerbread, the single parents charity has a free helpline on 0808 802 0925 and a top tips leaflet to help chase up maintenance arrears.