SPIN (Single Parent Information Network)

We did it! Together with 1,611 signatories of our CMS open letter, we’ve taken a big step forward in our campaign to #FixTheCMS.

Yesterday, alongside an incredible group of single parent campaigners, we handed in our Child Maintenance Service (CMS) Open Letter to Baroness Sherlock, the Minister responsible for the CMS.  we delivered a clear and united message to the government calling for:

• A CMS that tackles child poverty head-on.
• Clear communication for parents.
• Support for parents leaving the CMS.
• Proper resources to manage changes smoothly.
• Targets to track progress and make the system work.

What began as a goal of 500 signatures grew into:

• 1,611 signatories from across the UK.
• Backing from 14 MPs.
• Support from leading organisations including Women’s Aid, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Future Men, Surviving Economic Abuse,
  End Child Poverty Coalition and Women’s Budget Group.

The current CMS is failing single parents and their children. The government must ensure its proposed changes work for the families who depend on it. Where it’s received, child maintenance cuts the child poverty rate by 25%, that’s the scale of the impact we’re fighting for.While the open letter has closed, our campaign is only getting stronger. Over the coming months, we’ll keep up the pressure for urgent reform, with single parents’ voices at the heart of it.We’ll be making more announcements soon about the next steps and how you can get involved. In the meantime, you can read more about yesterday’s hand-in.