• Challenged prime minister David Cameron’s double standards
On father’s day, David Cameron said it was unacceptable that “single mothers who do a heroic job against all odds” should be left “to fend for themselves” by “runaway dads.” Gingerbread wrote to the prime minister pointing out the double standard of charging these very same single parents to use the Child Support Agency, when it is their only hope of getting child maintenance.We also spoke to the press about this important matter and newspapers including the Daily Mirror and The Guardian reported Gingerbread’s comments.
The Times published a letter from Gingerbread's chief executive Fiona Weir. She wrote: "David Cameron rightly states that it “simply isn’t acceptable” for “heroic” single mothers to be forced to fend for themselves without the regular child maintenance payments they need for their children. But there is a glaring contradiction in his position. The prime minister correctly identifies the problem of a hard-core minority of non-resident parents (mostly fathers) who refuse to pay towards their children’s upkeep, while his government plans to introduce hefty charges for accessing the Child Support Agency, which would make it unaffordable for the very single parents who need it. If the charges go ahead it will be even easier for non-resident parents to walk away from their responsibilities, and thousands more non-payers will never be made accountable. Is that acceptable?"
The subject also came up at prime minister's questions in the House of Commons, when David Cameron was forced to defend CSA charges.
• Told a committee of MPs conducting an inquiry into child maintenance that the proposals are wrong.
An all-party committee of MPs, whose job is to examine the work of the Department of Work and Pensions, invited Gingerbread and minister Maria Miller to give evidence about the government’s child maintenance proposals.
It seems like the committe listened to Gingerbread! It published its report on 3 July - calling for CSA charges to be dropped, if single parents have taken reasonable steps to try to get a private arrangement but the non-resident parent is still unwilling to pay.
The report "highlights the fundamental importance to children of a system which guarantees that maintenance is paid in full and on time, every time. In particular, Gingerbread supports the committee's recommendation that the burden of fees should not fall on the parent caring for the children," said Gingerbread's chief executive Fiona Weir.
"This report provides a timely and comprehensive critique of the government's proposal and we expect ministers to heed its recommendations as they finalise future plans for child maintenance," she added.
• Lobbied MPs and peers considering child maintenance changes in the Welfare Reform Bill.
Even before the consultation on its child maintenance proposals had ended, the government had popped some changes into a bill going through parliament at present. Gingerbread is lobbying MPs and peers to fight these changes, and to try to get CSA charges abolished at the same time. You can see our briefings so far here.
• Gathered support from other organisations and prominent individuals.
A range of different organisations and prominent individuals joined us to write to The Times and to the minister for women and equalities Theresa May. Our friends at Mumsnet have also given us their support. Many also backed us in our lobbying on child maintenance during the Welfare Reform Bill, including Against Violence and Abuse, Barnardo's, The Children’s Society, Child Poverty Action Group, Citizens Advice, End Violence Against Women, Family Action, Family and Parenting Institute, Mothers’ Union, National Children's Bureau, One Parent Families Scotland, Platform 51, Resolution, Single Parent Action Network, TUC, Women’s Budget Group, and Women’s Resource Centre.
• Debated the issue direct with minister Maria Miller.
Listen to us debate this issue with Maria Miller on Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4 (scroll down).
• Highlighted research evaluating the Child Maintenance Options Service, which supports our concerns around Government proposals. We issued two joint press releases with Barnardo's: New evidence reveals major flaws in Government’s child maintenance proposals and CSA charges would rip cash from children.