The government is to crack down on ‘deadbeat dads’

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Parents who refuse to pay for their offspring can see money taken directly from their wages.

However, court orders can only be made if salaries are paid into individual bank accounts.

This means would-be cheats can get around the system by having a shared account with a new partner.

Now the Department for Work and Pensions plans to close that loophole. New laws will ensure that future deductions can be made from joint accounts.