Parliament has approved a Bill to ensure victims of domestic abuse can receive financial support for their children without contact with their abuser. 

Enhanced Protection for Domestic Abuse Victims 

The new law empowers the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) to intervene on behalf of parents where abuse is evident, using its powers to collect and make payments. This set-up, called Collect and Pay, is already used by 37% of parents using the CMS. It provides extra protections for parents who have experienced domestic abuse by avoiding the need for contact and preventing perpetrators from inflicting financial abuse and control. 

Government Support 

Work and Pensions Minister Viscount Younger of Leckie stated, “Domestic abuse and coercive control are abhorrent crimes. This positive change will enhance our existing support for domestic abuse victims and ensure they can make a child maintenance claim without the fear of having to deal with an abusive ex-partner.” 

Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Bill 

The Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Bill builds on the CMS’s existing procedures to protect both paying and receiving parents who are vulnerable to domestic abuse, ensuring more children in separated families are supported. The Private Members’ Bill was taken through Parliament by Sally-Ann Hart MP and Lord Farmer, with support from the Government. 

Additional Legislation 

Another government-backed Bill, the Child Support (Enforcement) Bill, is due to become law soon. It aims to simplify the court process of recouping child maintenance arrears while protecting paying parents’ appeal rights. This Bill will make it easier and quicker for the CMS to take enforcement action and recoup money owed to families.