Right now, too many children are missing out on the support they’re owed.
The current child maintenance system is complicated, inconsistent and often fails the families who rely on it most.

Together, One Parent Families Scotland, Fife Gingerbread and IPPR Scotland have set out a clear plan to change that — a plan that would make the system fairer, safer and easier for all separated families.

Read our full report, Better for Everyone: a new vision for child maintenance, to see the evidence and recommendations behind our call for change.

Our proposals would:

• Transform the CMS so it works for every family, not just as a last resort.

• Improve support outside the CMS, so parents can get the right help at the right time.

• Make the child maintenance formula fair and up to date, reflecting real living costs.

• Make the social security system work better for separated families, recognising that child maintenance alone cannot alone is not a reliable anti-poverty tool.

We know what needs to change — now we need action. Add your name to our open letter to the Prime Minister and call for a child maintenance system that delivers for all children in separated families.