Key Facts

• The Bill amends primary legislation to allow victims of domestic abuse to use the collect and pay service.
• Clause 1(2) provides power to make regulations setting out evidence requirements for domestic abuse.
• The regulations will follow the affirmative procedure, allowing a vote on proposals.
• The Bill aims to address economic abuse and coercive control in domestic abuse cases.
• Surviving Economic Abuse found that 84% of women were worried about access to child maintenance payments due to their abuser's actions during the cost of living crisis.
• The speaker highlights the importance of trauma-informed processes for victims of domestic abuse.
• The Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant (EDAC) was launched two years ago by the DWP and partners.
• The EDAC aims to support women in abusive situations with employment or staying employed.
• The Minister is working on her new portfolio related to the benefits system's impact on domestic abuse victims.
• The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) processes and policies are regularly reviewed to align with best practices.
• An Independent Case Examiner highlighted an inappropriate case where a paying parent had access to direct pay despite a non-molestation order in place.
• Collection charges are set at 20% for the paying parent and 4% for the receiving parent.
• Domestic abuse training recognises various forms of abuse and includes signposting to support groups and advice on contacting the police if necessary.
• The CMS has procedures to handle cases appropriately for parents experiencing domestic abuse.
• Clause 1 of the Bill allows for placing a child maintenance arrangement on the collect and pay service if there is evidence of domestic abuse.
• Clause 2 permits children in Scotland to apply for the service under grounds of domestic abuse.