The Child Benefit Campaign

The Child Benefit Campaign by PAPA (People Against Parental Alienation) is a global campaign designed to advocate and encourage equal support for both parents post separation, in order for children to be fully supported.

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Our campaign is calling on the Government to reform the outdated child benefit system that currently supports only one parent after separation.

 

With around 1 in 4 families with dependent children headed by a single parent and over 3 million dependent children living in single-parent households, the current child benefit structure fails to reflect the reality of modern families.

 

Instead of supporting shared parenting, the system encourages single-parent households by providing financial support exclusively to one parent.

 

PAPA argues that this approach not only fosters inequality between parents but also undermines children’s relationships with both parents, contradicting extensive research that shows children thrive when both parents are actively involved in their upbringing.

 

"The current benefit system divides families at the exact moment children need stability and support from both parents".

 

“Children don’t benefit when one parent is financially side-lined. The system must evolve to put children’s wellbeing first.” - Simon Cobb, Founder of PAPA

 

The Problem

 

• The child benefit system supports only one parent after separation, usually the parent with primary residency.

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• This approach creates financial imbalance and can discourage shared parenting arrangements.

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• Also, when one parent is considered "primary" and the other "less important" it means that there is an imbalance in other benefits and support.

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• The parent receiving the Child Benefit is treated as the primary carer for most means-tested benefits and calculations.

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• This means that one parent has far more access to support and resources, such as Universal Credit, Housing and bedroom entitlement, Council Tax Reduction, School and childcare registration and Passports and official records.

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• The child’s welfare suffers most, as reduced financial and decision making capacity for one parent can mean less time, fewer opportunities, and weaker relationships.

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What the Data Says

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• According to BioMed Central, children not living with both parents are at elevated risk of developmental or health issues.

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• The US National Centre for Education Statistics found that children fare best in school when both parents are "highly involved" in their child's schooling (versus only one parent involved).

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• A literature review (from a UK government publication) found that father involvement in addition to mother involvement is associated with positive cognitive and emotional outcomes.

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• From the National Academies' Parenting Matters: "Substantial evidence shows that young children have optimal developmental outcomes when they experience nurturing relationships with both fathers and mothers."

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• A meta-analysis (39 studies, 1.5 million children) found that children in equal (or near-equal) parenting arrangements "did just as well" as those in intact two-parent (married) households in about 75% of the cases, and significantly better than those in sole-custody arrangements.

 

The Solution

 

A Child Benefit System that supports both parents to truly support children, PAPA is urging the Government to modernise the child benefit system and treat both parents equally after separation. PAPA calls on the Government to take the following actions:

 

1. Introduce Shared Child Benefit Options – Allow child benefit to be divided between both parents when care is shared, ensuring support follows the child, not just one household.  The focus being on encouraging equal parenting as the default but adjusting accordingly. I.e. If the child is with one parent 70% of the time then they should receive 70% of associated support.

 

2. Review and Redefine the “Primary Caregiver” Model – Update the criteria to reflect shared parenting and modern family dynamics.  Ensuring both parents are viewed as equals unless otherwise agreed upon, or genuine evidenced safeguarding issues.

 

3. Incentivise Cooperative Parenting – Create policies that encourage and reward parents who successfully co-parent and share care.

 

4. Commission a Government Review – Conduct research into the effects of current child benefit policy on parental equality and child wellbeing.

 

5. Embed Equal Parenting Principles in Welfare Policy – Reform child-related benefits to reflect the principle that both parents matter equally.  

 

“Children have two parents. Our benefit system should recognise and support that fact, instead of forcing families apart financially.” - Simon Cobb, Founder of PAPA

 

PAPA invites parents, policymakers, and the public to join the movement for reform. 

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Let's support children by ensuring both of their parents and both of their homes are supported.