Sally-Ann Hart MP’s Private Member’s bill passed through the House of Commons on Friday and will now begin readings in the House of Lords (week beginning the 6th of March).
The bill concerns the payment method that separated parents use for child support and the changes needed to further support those who have fallen victim to domestic violence or abuse.
The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is the payment process of child maintenance between separated parents who cannot reach an agreement on their own. They manage child maintenance cases through two types of service: Collect and Pay and Direct Pay. For Direct Pay the CMS calculate and provide a payment schedule, but payments are arranged separately between the parents. For Collect and Pay, CMS calculates the maintenance payment, and then collects the money from the paying parent and pays into to the receiving parents’ account.
Current legislation means that the default option is Direct Pay, unless the paying parent agrees to Collect and Pay, or demonstrates unwillingness to pay their liability. This bill will amend primary legislation that will allow victims of abuse to use the Collect and Pay service when domestic abuse is evident by either the paying parent or receiving and/or through domestic abuse against children in the household due to a parent involved in the case even if they do not agree to it.
This bill has the potential to create choices for victims of domestic abuse and more avenues to support their escape. It could aid the removal from abusive environments such as financial control and manipulation which can occur through using Direct Pay whilst also ensuring more protection than previously to victims.
Sally-Ann Hart said –
“I am delighted that my Private Members’ bill will now move to the House of Lords with the support of the House of Commons. This bill will help woman and children predominately, who have fallen victim to domestic abuse, and through this bill it will improve protection for some of the most vulnerable in society. It is important for our community to strengthen families and reduce domestic abuse across the country and in our Hastings and Rye. This bill is a necessary part of making that possible.”
This bill has been fully supported by the House of Commons with no amendments made and will now continue to the House of Lords where it will be aided by Lord Farmer. If it then makes it through the House of Lords, the Bill will eventually receive royal assent and become law.