A number of women's and parenting charities have expressed their concerns over proposed changes to the child maintenance system in a letter to Theresa May, the Minister for women and equalities, reports the Guardian. The letter calls for the government to reconsider these proposals, warning that they are likely to unfairly affect single mothers.
The Government's proposed changes are intended to encourage divorced or separated parents to voluntarily agree on the level of child support to be paid by the non-resident parent and the system of payment, rather than relying on the state to set the amount and make the necessary payment collections.
If the state does have to step in and enforce a child support payment, then there will be a charge to be met by the parents. The charities are concerned that in most cases this cost will end up being borne by the mother who, as the parent that normally retains custody of the child, would usually be the one entitled to receive the child maintenance payment.
