Child Maintenance Service Charges

EDM number 186 in 2015-16, proposed by Caroline Lucas on 24/06/2015.
Categorised under the topics of Child support, Children and families and Incomes and poverty.

That this House is greatly concerned at the impact that charging for the use of the Child Maintenance Scheme (CMS) is having on families and children; believes that these charges in effect constitute a tax on children in contradiction to the Government's professed child-friendly stance; notes that charities such as Gingerbread have warned that this increases the potential for conflict between parents, which can only negatively impact on the child; recognises that most single parents struggle financially; is deeply concerned that many poor families may be deterred from applying for child maintenance as a result of this policy and therefore remain in poverty; and calls on the Government urgently to bring forward its review of the CMS in light of these grave concerns.

This motion has been signed by a total of 40 MPs.