this is 2nd (3rd) hand info, but someone sent me this email today, entitled 'In the Guardian today...':
"I can't believe this:
More publishing news: a colleague passes on The Divorced Dad's Handbook by Steve Davies, which contains a section on "minimising" child support payments. While being assessed by the Child Support Agency, readers are advised to make their actual pay-packet look substantially smaller by such wily tactics as bumping up pension payments ("as this will reduce your net income. You can always reduce your pension payments after the assessment"), giving up overtime stints, and, for the self-employed, considering "an offshore company for some of your earnings".
Another handy money-saving hint is to increase time spent with the kids during the assessment period, as this will reduce financial liability. It doesn't say whether daddy should tell the kids that this sudden fatherly enthusiasm is a ruse to deprive them of the finances that an objective outside body deems necessary for them to enjoy a healthy and happy childhood. Probably best not though, eh?"
splendid.