The measures come in addition to government proposals to make single parents who want to use state maintenance services from 2012 pay a £100 application fee and an extra ongoing charge of seven to 10 per cent of the payments they receive.
Single parent charity Gingerbread and family law organisation Resolution — backed by the Children’s Society, Child Poverty Action Group and Citizens Advice — have contacted all MPs asking them to oppose the measures.
A briefing to MPs warns that the bill’s measures overestimate the number of separated couples who can make fair and reliable private child support arrangements.
Gingerbread chief executive Fiona Weir said: "In the real world, it just isn’t always possible for separated parents to come to their own child support arrangements. Measures in the bill would impede access to the state child support service for parents with care of children who really need the money, but can’t rely on their child’s other parent to pay voluntarily.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
