Dr Luke Evans MP supports Bill making child support collection easier for victims of domestic violence

Bosworth’s MP, Dr Luke Evans, has supported a Private Members Bill from fellow MP, Sally-Ann Hart, which aims to help victims of domestic abuse.

The Child Support Collection (Domestic Violence) Bill seeks to amend primary legislation to allow for a Child Maintenance Service (CMS) case to use collect and pay if one parent (either receiving or paying) objects to using the ‘direct pay’ service on grounds of domestic abuse by the other parent.

Under current legislation, direct pay is the default option unless the paying parent agrees to collect and pay or is deemed ‘unlikely to pay’ by demonstrating an unwilling to pay their liability. This applies to all cases and does not consider current or previous issues in the relationship between the two parents, including domestic abuse.

Dr Luke made several interventions throughout the Bill’s second reading on October 28th and welcomed the Government’s support of the Bill during a speech by Tom Pursglove, a Minister in the Department of Work and Pensions.

If passed, this bill will improve the Government’s offer to victims of domestic abuse in how they receive child maintenance payments which often form a vital part of a recipient’s overall income and finances.

Dr Luke Evans, MP for Bosworth, said: “I believe this Bill, which aims to make the receipt of Child Maintenance payments easier for victims of domestic violence, is hugely significant and I am proud to offer my support wholeheartedly.

“In my former role as a GP, before coming to the House of Commons, I saw the impact of domestic abuse on children, not only when they were young but throughout their lifetime.

“It is important that this Bill protects victims of confirmed domestic violence, so they do not have to go through any further heartache or stress, and ensuring there is stability and safety for the family moving forward.”

Sally-Ann Hart, the MP for Hastings and Rye who brought forward this Private Members Bill, said: “Ensuring that Child Maintenance is paid is both morally right and economically important for many children and young people across the country.

“Since 2019, almost £1 billion of child maintenance support has been collected and arranged each year through direct pay and collect and pay. By chasing non-payers, even when victims sometimes just want to give up, thousands of children will be lifted out of poverty.

“Importantly, this Bill will add the option for moving to collect and pay without the consent of the other parent if there is evidence of domestic abuse, bolstering the Government's commitment to victims who are often in challenging financial situations."

The Bill secured cross party support, passing its second reading without the need for a division. It will now continue its legislative journey through the House of Commons.

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