Strengthening Families - The Future of Child Maintenance

Strengthening Families and Promoting Parental Responsibility

What is the future of Child Maintenance?

Fife Gingerbread have expressed their dismay at recent government proposals to overhaul the Child Maintenance system. The ‘Strengthening Families and Promoting Parental Responsibility’ green paper, which has recently undergone consultation, includes proposals to charge parents who use the child maintenance service an £100 application fee as well as reducing any money paid through the collection service by up to 12%.

The radical reshaping speaks of both parents taking responsibility for the welfare of their children yet fundamentally it’s still about one parent having care of the child while the other flatly refuses to pay. Under new proposals the parent with care will now have to pay to pursue contribution from the absent parent and then have surcharges and collection fees imposed on both parties. It is difficult to see how these changes strengthen families or have the interests of children at their core.

Rhona Cunningham, manager of the lone parent charity, says: “The numbers of families breaking up is on the increase and too many absent parents refuse to pay for the costs incurred in bringing up their children. We need to address the social culture that makes it acceptable to have children then not take responsibility for them whether that’s in terms of financially or in terms of love, nurture and support.”

“These proposals do nothing to reduce the risk or alleviate children from child poverty and will exacerbate the financial burden on families. The crux of the matter is that the children will suffer.”

Fife Gingerbread have responded to the consultation sharing their concerns and ensuring that the voices of lone parents are represented. Despite recent budget cuts, they are determined to take a stand and make sure that they are representatives for lone parents and bring them all the information that they need to navigate this potential minefield.

Rhona continues, “There needs to be a strong message and connection made in relation to the responsibility we have for our children, reiterating the message that they are a lifetime commitment. Children are too often used as a pawn during a divorce or split and any provisions or services should ensure that their welfare is at the heart of everything that we do.”

Fife Gingerbread helps anyone who is bringing up children on their own regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic origin or personal circumstances. For more information contact us on 01333 303124 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .