Dr Luke Evans MP supports Bill allowing asset seizure when Child Support Maintenance goes unpaid

Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, supports Bill which would force parents to pay Child Support Maintenance or face the seizure of assets.

The Child Support (Enforcement) Bill would enable the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make a Liability Order without going through the Courts against a non-paying parent when a deduction from earnings is not possible or appropriate.

Currently, the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) aims to recover arrears from the ‘Non-Resident Parent’/’Paying Parent’ within two years. However, there are concerns that obtaining Liability Orders is taking too long, are costly to administer and adds to pressures on Courts. 

The Bill, driven forward by Siobhan Baillie, MP for Stroud, would enable the CMS to instruct bailiffs to take control of goods and apply to the Court for an order of sale of an asset much swifter.

This is the second piece of legislation on child support that Bosworth’s MP has recently supported after he spoke in November on the Child Support Collection (Domestic Violence) Bill. This Bill would allow for a 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.

Dr Luke Evans, the Member of Parliament for Bosworth, said: “I was pleased to have the opportunity to support this Bill. I believe that it sits alongside the Government’s wider reforms to ensure the Child Maintenance Service is effective in preventing parents from evading their financial obligations to their children.

“While couples may fight and frustrate, we must always keep in mind and work towards what will be the best outcome for the sake of the child.”

Siobhan Baillie, the MP for Stroud, added: “Sadly, too many parents do not pay for their children. It creates hardship for the remaining parent who must make ends meet, especially in these challenging times, and is grossly unfair when assets could be available.

“This Bill will tighten up powers the CMS can use to ensure those who are financially responsible for children can be forced to pay up on their arrears in other ways, rather than tapping into their income over two years.”

Mims Davies MP, Minister for Youth and Progression, said during the second reading of the Bill: “I am pleased to confirm that the Government intend to support the Bill. We are determined to ensure that the CMS process improves.

“I have seen cases where help from former partners is needed to support children; making sure positive arrangements are in place is crucial to youngsters in every constituency.

“Above all, this is about supporting children, getting them the best start and ongoing support to thrive in life.”

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