Single parents are often left to bear the full cost of childcare, while many non-resident parents avoid contributing. It’s time for legislation that ensures both parents - if listed on the birth certificate - share childcare expenses equally.

Single parents across the UK work tirelessly to build careers and provide stable lives for their children. However, they are frequently burdened with the entire financial responsibility for childcare.

Even when both parents are named on the birth certificate, many non-resident parents do not contribute to childcare costs, which can amount to over £1,500 per month. The current Child Maintenance Service (CMS)  calculation does not reflect the real cost or reality of raising a child,  leaving one parent to cover these significant costs.

Compounding the issue, some non-resident parents manipulate their declared earnings to appear lower, reducing their financial obligations and increasing hardship for single-parent households.

While government-funded childcare hours offer some assistance, they do not fully meet the needs of working single parents. This gap forces many to choose between career advancement and affordable childcare.

Gender equality is a major topic of discussion, with significant progress made in areas such as workplace rights, pay, and social attitudes. However, despite these advancements, the needs of working single parents often remain overlooked and underserved. Single parents, regardless of gender, face unique challenges in balancing work and family responsibilities, yet current policies and support systems frequently fall short in providing the necessary assistance. This gap highlights a disconnect between the broader push for gender equality and the reality that many single parents, especially those navigating financial and childcare burdens alone, continue to be left behind. Achieving true gender equality means recognising and addressing these disparities, ensuring that single parents are supported and empowered to thrive both at work and at home.

We call on UK legislators to introduce new laws that:

1. Require both parents to equally share the financial responsibility for their child's childcare costs, regardless of their relationship status. This principle ensures that the child's needs are prioritised and that both parents contribute fairly to their upbringing.
2. Include all types of childcare in shared cost arrangements. This should encompass nurseries, registered childminders, fee-paying before and after school clubs, and other care services, starting from as early as 9 months old. Such an inclusive approach recognises the diverse childcare options families utilise and promotes fairness across the board.
3. A comprehensive reform of the Child Maintenance System to better reflect the true costs of raising a child and the real expenses associated with childcare. This reform should include stricter investigations into individuals who falsify their earnings, particularly those who are self-employed or own their own businesses. These loopholes often allow some to evade their financial responsibilities, undermining the child's right to adequate support. Ensuring transparency and accountability in earnings declarations is essential to creating a fair and effective system that genuinely supports children's well-being.

These changes would reduce the financial strain on single parents, ensure children have access to consistent, quality care, and promote fairness by holding both parents accountable.

Every child deserves proper care. Every parent deserves a fair opportunity to work and thrive.

Let’s advocate for a system that treats both parents equally.

Sign this petition to demand a fairer, more supportive framework for single-parent families.