Overview

This bill aims to improve the child support system in cases involving domestic abuse. It allows the Secretary of State to arrange for the collection of child maintenance payments if there's evidence of domestic abuse, regardless of who made the initial application for child support.

Description

The Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Bill amends the Child Support Act 1991. Key changes include:

• New powers for the Secretary of State: The Secretary of State can now arrange for the collection of child support maintenance if either the person with care, the non-resident parent, or the child (in Scotland) provides evidence of domestic abuse. The definition of "domestic abuse" aligns with the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
• Application for collection: Either the person with care or the non-resident parent can apply for the Secretary of State to collect the maintenance payments if they can provide evidence of relevant domestic abuse.
• Evidence of abuse: The Secretary of State will assess applications based on evidence of a "prescribed kind" relating to relevant domestic abuse.
• Amendments to existing Acts: The bill makes consequential amendments to other sections of the Child Support Act 1991 and the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008 to reflect the new powers.
• Extent and Commencement: The bill applies to England, Wales, and Scotland. The commencement date will be set by the Secretary of State.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify increases or decreases in government spending. However, the cost of administering the new collection arrangements and processing applications may increase, though specific figures are not provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Parents involved in child support cases: Those experiencing domestic abuse will have a new avenue for ensuring child maintenance payments are collected.
• Children: The bill aims to better protect children's financial needs in situations involving domestic abuse.
• The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP): The DWP will be responsible for implementing the new provisions, potentially requiring increased resources.

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