PM must reverse unfair charges on abuse victims
Last month I was grateful to meet with a range of representatives from local charities and statutory organisations from across Perthshire to discuss how we can work together to combat violence against women.
Despite the serious topic, it was a positive discussion that gave me hope for the future that so many diverse groups are committed to working in partnership to address this issue.
So this week I’m glad to have been able to follow up on these discussions and lend my support, along with other SNP MPs and a range of Scottish women’s organisations, who have come together to call on Theresa May to scrap the cruel and callous tax on child support which has recently been put in place for victim-survivors of domestic violence.
Many will remember the often notorious Child Support Agency, which up until recently was responsible for processing child maintenance payments between parents.
It has now been replaced by the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) but changes to how the new service operates mean that the parent caring for the family’s children will either be charged a fee for administrative costs of 4 per cent for using the service or must give their bank details to the other parent directly in what is known as a familybased arrangement.
I am aware that survivors of domestic abuse have raised concerns about the charges for using the new CMS.
In some cases these individuals have been too frightened to give their bank details to their abuser for fear that they will be able to access other personal details.
I’ve already had constituents contact my office for assistance in dealing with this issue, which some have found very distressing and difficult to deal with.
That’s why I support this campaign against the charges. SNP MPs have joined with organisations like Engender, Scottish Women’s Aid, One Parent Families, Gingerbread and the White Ribbon Campaign to jointly write to the Prime Minister, calling for these unfair fees to be scrapped.
I am very concerned that this appears to be a cruel and callous tax on child support, with little thought given to the unintended consequences that it has thrown up.
Most importantly, it will be the children in these relationships who will lose out on the funding intended to support them.
I believe that it’s the responsibility of the UK Government to do everything in its power to protect children from falling into poverty.
That’s why I urge the Prime Minister to take action now to ensure that maintenance is paid in full and on time.