I had a conversation with my
father not that long ago about the Child Support Agency (CSA), when I
was a kid and the CSA were chasing him for money, he disputed the amount
that they claimed he should pay on a monthly basis. The issue was in
their working out, but the CSA would not accept that they were wrong and
threatened him with legal action if he did not pay. In the end he
managed to sort things out by elevating his complaint as high up the
agency as they would let him. Many people would not have had the
knowledge of how Maintenace payments are calculated, and the knowledge
to pursue a claim against the CSA. Luckily Dad did, but I am sure there
are many who have overpaid without knowing it. The CSA would paint it as
irresponsible to quibble over how much you should pay to support your
kids, but the simple fact is you can only afford to pay so much.
Reasonably recently (within the last 3 years) the Head of the CSA was on TV, being interviewed. She expressed her belief that there were a great many Fathers ignoring their responsibilities. There probably are, but it does show something of how the CSA works that she did not mention that there are also mothers ignoring theirs. From what I have seen, and read the CSA quite frankly, could not give a shit if you are a single father supporting your kids. The chances are that they will not chase the mother of the kids for you, but if your partner has left you with the kids, you will feel them breathing down your neck.
I doubt that it is any easier today that it was 12 years ago to convince them that their maths is flawed, or that you simply cannot afford the payments. Something that Andy Bathie is likely to experience.
Andy Bathie of North London was kind enough to donate his sperm to a lesbian couple so that they may have children. He did it as a friend rather that through a fertility clinic, but the law only protects anonymous donors at licensed centres, the net result being that the poor guy is now being chased by the CSA!!!!
Because of the financial implications of this, Mr Bathie (A firefighter) says that he now cannot afford to have children with his own wife.
The CSA have released the following statement with regard to the case
"Unless the child is legally adopted, both biological parents are financially responsible for their child - the Child Support Agency legislation is not gender or partnership based."
Although ministers have drawn up reforms to the fertility laws that would allow same-sex couples who are 'married' to have equal parenting rights, the change comes too late for Mr Bathie. He is, however, currently pushing for an amendment to make the laws retrospective.
The thing I find most unbelievable about this, is that the CSA doesn't seem to care that he is not an estranged father, but someone who donated Sperm so that another couple could have children. Everyone who has had any dealings with the CSA will tell you that they are absolutely ruthless, but this defies belief!
Can't help think that the Lesbian Couple are pushing their luck somewhat, he was nice enough to give them two children and yet they set the CSA onto him, some people just do not know the meaning of gratitude it would seem.
Reasonably recently (within the last 3 years) the Head of the CSA was on TV, being interviewed. She expressed her belief that there were a great many Fathers ignoring their responsibilities. There probably are, but it does show something of how the CSA works that she did not mention that there are also mothers ignoring theirs. From what I have seen, and read the CSA quite frankly, could not give a shit if you are a single father supporting your kids. The chances are that they will not chase the mother of the kids for you, but if your partner has left you with the kids, you will feel them breathing down your neck.
I doubt that it is any easier today that it was 12 years ago to convince them that their maths is flawed, or that you simply cannot afford the payments. Something that Andy Bathie is likely to experience.
Andy Bathie of North London was kind enough to donate his sperm to a lesbian couple so that they may have children. He did it as a friend rather that through a fertility clinic, but the law only protects anonymous donors at licensed centres, the net result being that the poor guy is now being chased by the CSA!!!!
Because of the financial implications of this, Mr Bathie (A firefighter) says that he now cannot afford to have children with his own wife.
The CSA have released the following statement with regard to the case
"Unless the child is legally adopted, both biological parents are financially responsible for their child - the Child Support Agency legislation is not gender or partnership based."
Although ministers have drawn up reforms to the fertility laws that would allow same-sex couples who are 'married' to have equal parenting rights, the change comes too late for Mr Bathie. He is, however, currently pushing for an amendment to make the laws retrospective.
The thing I find most unbelievable about this, is that the CSA doesn't seem to care that he is not an estranged father, but someone who donated Sperm so that another couple could have children. Everyone who has had any dealings with the CSA will tell you that they are absolutely ruthless, but this defies belief!
Can't help think that the Lesbian Couple are pushing their luck somewhat, he was nice enough to give them two children and yet they set the CSA onto him, some people just do not know the meaning of gratitude it would seem.
