As I sit and write this I am a very angry bunny. Have you seen an angry bunny? It’s like a regular bunny, all cute and harmless looking until it bites your hand with such bloody fury that scares you to the bottom of your soul. That is the level of anger I am feeling right now. And there is nearly nothing I can do about it. Nearly nothing…..
Here’s a little story about me. At 17 years old I met a man who would turn into my worst nightmare and biggest mistake. For just over six years we were a couple and had a baby. She is now 15 years old and thinks that he is a wanker. I endured six years of domestic violence at the hands of a drunk who thought I was his personal cash machine. The only reason I got out was due to the fact he wanted to shag the neighbour. So 10 years ago, he threw me and his baby girl out into the world so that he could start wooing her. The only plus point in his favour is that he (apparently) didn’t cheat on me. It’s a small comfort and I’ll take it thank you very much.
Why am I telling you all this? Simply because I’m cross. Angry. Inflamed with rage. And if I don’t vent my head might explode. 10 years on, you think I would be done with it all. But I’m not. Why? Because he used me like a cash machine and hasn’t paid his child support ever, that’s why. “Oh, that’s not a big deal! He couldn’t owe you that much.” Try £20,000 in child support. Now, do you understand why I’m mad?
But I’m not the only one. All across the UK, there are women who are not receiving their child support. The Department for Work and Pensions has estimated that there is around £2.9 billion in child support arrears that are classed as “uncollectable”. Yay! I’m a statistic! So what does that mean for me and all the other parents who have been waiting for those cheques coming through the post? According to the government, I will never see any of it. Excuse me, Mrs Prime Minister? Did you just say that my ex should be supporting his daughter with a weekly amount from his wages (and I know how much he earns, it’s peanuts to him!) but he refuses, and there is nothing you can do? Don’t lie to me. And definitely don’t dangle that amount of money in front of me either.
According to the Child Support Agency website, if a non-resident parent doesn’t pay, then the agency can do several things. They can take them to court, take the money out of his bank account, take away his driving licence, and even put him in prison. Have they done any of that? No. So what can be done? I’m so glad you asked. I’ve prepared a statement.
“We, the mothers of children who partners decided to bog off into the moonlight without any thought for the family that they let behind ask the Government to pay the bill. Pay us what you say is ours. Don’t let those deadbeat dads (or mums) think that they can get away with it! Pay us the money and they can owe it to you instead of us. Give them a special tax code so that you can tax them. You are taxing the honest and hardworking people of Britain to breaking point, do it to those guys too. And maybe if you didn’t take so many tax breaks and expenses then you could pay it without a problem.”
Plan and a half, don’t you think?
What are your experiences with child maintenance? Have you ever had to deal with them? You can read more about my experience with them here.