Question reference: S6W-11748
- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 27 October 2022
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Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 10 November 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to support women affected by the deliberate non-payment of child maintenance payments by non-resident parents, particularly in light of the rising cost of living.
Answer
The UK Government’s Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is reserved. Only the CMS has the power to take action to enforce payment of sums due under a maintenance assessment arranged through the CMS.
The Scottish Government recognises this is an exceptionally challenging and uncertain time for families and we are working across the public and third sector to ensure that support is there for anyone who needs it.
We are investing around £12.5 million this year to support the provision of free income maximisation, welfare and debt advice services.
We provide funding to One Parent Families Scotland, which operates an advice line and debt advice services for lone parent families.