Fri, 20 September 2024 06:40:56am
Related Tags: Child Maintenance Service consultation, UK child poverty reduction, CMS Direct Pay changes, support for abuse victims, government child support strategy
UK Government Extends Child Maintenance Consultation
UK Government Extends Child Maintenance Consultation
The UK government is taking a crucial step to ensure the voices of families and expert groups are heard. The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) consultation has been extended, giving more time to discuss vital changes aimed at tackling child poverty and improving support systems for children and their families.
In a move to enhance child support services and address child poverty, the UK government has extended its consultation on the Child Maintenance Service (CMS). Initially launched on May 8, 2024, the consultation period will now run until September 30, 2024, allowing more time for feedback from external organizations and individuals.
The consultation is a part of the government’s broader strategy to tackle child poverty and ensure children receive the support they need for a better start in life. DWP Lords Minister, Baroness Maeve Sherlock, emphasized the importance of this extension, stating, "This government is committed to tackling child poverty and ensuring children get the support they need to have the best start in life. Child maintenance is important to this goal."
Key Proposals Under Consideration:
Stopping Direct Pay Service: The proposal suggests ceasing the Direct Pay service and handling all cases via Collect and Pay. This change aims to enable the CMS to address non-compliance swiftly and take enforcement actions more effectively when necessary.
Enhanced Support for Family-Based Arrangements: The government is exploring ways to support family-based arrangements better by introducing an enhanced calculation tool and providing signposts to conflict resolution support.
Supporting Victims of Abuse: Building on the recommendations from Dr. Samantha Callan’s 2023 Independent Review of the Child Maintenance Service, the consultation seeks input on how the CMS can better support victims of domestic or economic abuse.
The extension comes on the heels of the government launching the Child Poverty Taskforce, chaired by the Work and Pensions and Education Secretaries. This task force is part of an ambitious strategy to reduce child poverty and ensure children have the best possible start in life.
Key Points:
1) Extension of Consultation: The Child Maintenance Service consultation period has been extended to September 30, 2024.
2) Proposals Under Review: Key proposals include stopping the Direct Pay service, enhancing support for family-based arrangements, and improving support for abuse victims.
3) Impact on Child Poverty: In the year leading up to March 2024, the CMS managed £1.4 billion in child maintenance payments, helping to keep 160,000 children out of poverty annually.
4) Government’s Commitment: The extension demonstrates the government’s commitment to tackling child poverty and ensuring comprehensive feedback on the proposed changes.
For more information on making maintenance arrangements, parents can visit the Get Help Arranging Child Maintenance.
