Monday, December 11, 2006

Name and shame Dads

The agency that will replace the failed UK Child Support agency is called C-Mec (that should make a difference) and they plan to publish the names of fathers, who have been prosecuted for not paying their liability payment, on the internet.

I've blogged before about the escalation and the size of the child support problem. Welfare is at the heart of it. We continue to focus on an effect rather than the cause.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

http://affair-of-the-estranged-father-csa.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

An Ode to an Oh!


How I ever came to this is a sorry story in itself. How did I get to this?

For now I will inform you of the current action your wonderful measures are taking and refer to your previous actions.

I have accrued in ten years the frightening some of £5k in arrears with the CSA.

Surely this is a clear example of an errant father refusing to pay for his children?

Indeed, he is clearly depriving his children and forcing them into poverty.

Sadly that may be the case. But what can I do?

Some ten years ago I was informed of my ex-wife’s decision to divorce me. Stating that “I will not allow you to have access with the boys, as my new partner will not be able to control them if you are still around”.

A battle ensued. No winners, not unless you consider the thousands gained by the solicitors.

Immediately, I started sending my then wife, cheques. None were cashed. I quickly realised that this was as a result of her need to access Legal Aid. Then I sent them to the solicitors with the same outcome.

New strategy. Deliver them in person to the solicitor and have a receipt signed. Too late Legal Aid gained - benefits application made. CSA are in correspondence with me. I am now ‘officially’ an errant father who refuses to pay for his children. This mantle has stayed with me all these years. I am constantly reminded of it every time I speak to someone at that wonderful CSA.

‘D’, the ex has moved away. Remained true to her word regarding access. The CSA are pursuing me. Oh! I lost my job - redundant. And I’m divorced. All this and only a few months before I was happily married and studying for a better future for my family. How things change.

Depression has taken over me but I manage to acquire a new job. It’s in the ‘big smoke’. Travel, accommodation? Travel, accommodation? What should I do? ……………Travel and get the house sold.

“Please can we sell the house so I can carry on my life and do my new job?”

No, we need to settle the children matters and then deal with the financials.

The coded message was sent to me ‘don’t fight for contact’ and ‘we’ll settle quickly’.

“But how do I travel every day or live in London and still pay the mortgage whilst pay the maintenance assessment?”

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! Another coded message.

18 months passed bye. Too many 4 am starts and returns after 11pm. That was just the work. Then the booze kicked in giving that depression a real boost. I’d lost it now.

Selling anything I owned to get enough money to meet all the bills.

“Mr. CSA can you look at my case again. You do not seem to be allowing me enough to pay my bills”.

“Well, you have £53 a week to live on and we cannot allow your mileage or rail costs to London as its unreasonable to your ex”

“But, I am a specialist – I was made redundant from the only local employer who could use my skills – but I did get a job – I got on my bike”

“Oh! I did not realise you meant that I had to literally get on my bike and cycle the 130 miles to work every day”

Ok, now a dilemma. Pay the bills, the mortgage and my rail season ticket and do I stop paying the CSA?. Or do I stop paying the bills, pay the mortgage and my rail season ticket? Or do I …………………….. let me get another drink.

Ok the bills are mounting up now. But I won my contact case. I get 1 hour every two weeks in a contact centre. And its only 300 miles away.

“Oh! The boys are ill today” “Ok, in two weeks time then – and here is another £100 cash to help you”

Where is that drink!

Now that stack of bills is really building up into something resembling ‘centre point’. But I am seeing the boys at last!

“Oh! They do not want to see me – yes I know – but it’s only been 12 months since I have seen them – have they forgotten who I am?”

“Ok, here’s your £100 and this is for Christmas”

Can’t open the door now – need to move those letters. In a minute – just one more drink.

Ooops! Lost my driving licence somewhere between buying the boys their Xmas pressies and the last bottle I had.

Ok, my fault – that bottle is the problem. I can do this for a year.

Unable to see the boys – well they have been very ill. Funny only on the second Saturday of the month. Still Lord Chief Butler-Sloss will understand.

“Oh!”

“The law changed whilst you were trying to read all my files that I prepared for you and lodged at the Court of Appeal”

“Yes that’s very unlucky”

…………………………

“I missed a few of CSA payments – yes I know - I had nothing left to sell”

“What’s a detachment of earnings order?” “oh!”

…………………………..

“Sorry you’re credit card has not been authorised” – “but how do I get my season ticket”

“Mr CSA, can you look at this again” “Oh! The Secretary of State makes you do it”

That Secretary of States a clever guy – he knows what he’s doing.

“Sorry boss – I could not get in today – not well”

“ Are you interested in buying this – no – Ok – I understand”

“Boss I can’t get in today – I’m ill”

“Look Mr Bank, I know I’m overdrawn but if I do not get to work soon I will lose my job – thank you – you are a star”

“Hi Boss feeling better today – I’m here!”

“Ok, I understand. Things always change. Thanks anyway – and thanks for the reference offer – I’m sure I will get another one soon”

Another drink …….. that’s fine.

Hooray! A new job and its only 250 miles from home. Well at least I won’t have to keep looking at those bills.

Ok I’m off. B&B. New bank account – this it. I made a decision I’ll be OK now.

“Mr Building society here is the keys to my house – yes – it should make a profit. Why? – I can’t pay the mortgage any longer and Lodgings and the bills and the CSA”

…………………………………

“Yes, Mr Judge, I have been paying Maintenance every month. Yes, I missed a few because ………… Oh! You are not interested”

Yes, Mr Judge, money is left over after the sale and mortgage repaid. Oh! My ex gets it”

“Yes, Mr Judge I have been paying the maintenance – I already told you. I’m in contempt – what does that mean?” ……. Bang!

“Hello Mr Judge. Oh! You are! The CSA paid it into the wrong account. Yes I know there are arrears I told you ………. No I do not want to spend any time in that place …. Yes Sir”

Dear Mr ********, your new assessment is £987 per month ……….

“But Mr CSA, How do I live? How do I live?”

……………………………..

“Here have another drink – I don’t pay them much – I’m self employed and get my mate to russle up a set of accounts”

“Thanks for the drink – I need it – but I’m PAYE and will get another detachment order”

Right – decision made –‘over time’. At least I can pay the rent and buy that guy a beer for once.

“Oh! Mr CSA, you want more. Another assessment. Of course I been working 70 hours a week. How can I pay my bills otherwise?”

“ No I am not paying – I’m off to the papers with this + the MP and I going to write a strong letter to the Secretary of State – he’s a clever guy”

Another Detachment of Earnings order. What is the point?

……………………………

“Hi”

“Yes, I really like you too!”

“Shall we live together with your 3 children”

This is great . no money . but I’m happy.

“Ok, so he does not want to pay for them anymore – cos’ he’s self employed – yes I know – I’ve got a mate like that”

Life is good ………… no money but its, at last ……… fun!

“Oh! You’re closing the department – well thanks for letting me know – and yes I will probably get another job soon”

“Its not working out for you? The money is a real problem! We don’t get on so well – but I’ve got a job now”

“Oh! You got your settlement and have to find a place for the children to settle in – I understand – yes we can still be friends”

“Yes MR CSA, my circumstances have changed – ok – so out of my £54 a week you want £10 of it – oh!”

“Yes Mr CSA, my circumstances have changed – I got on my bike and started my own business – yes it was not too long – and Mr Bank was very helpful – no I will not be earning any money for a while – oh! – I have to pay – Ok – how much? ……………… How Much?”

“Hello Mr CSA, I can’t make this work but I’ve managed to get another job but I have to travel - can you allow the debts I have built up – no! – can you allow my travel costs – good! – oh! 10p per mile but not for the first 150 miles and only as the crow flies”

“But Mr CSA, I don’t fly! And any how there is a huge sea bay in the way and as far as I am aware that lovely Secretary of State is not building a bridge or subsidising a ferry – oh! You only pay 10p per mile but not for the first 150 miles and only as the crow flies”

“Mr CSA, as part of my job description I have to travel to see customers and use my car – I need to buy one – do you allow this – no! – oh!”

For few years I had kept my payments and managed to live – still seeing my ex-partner and her children. Then ……….

“Sorry but we have to let you go – the works dried up you see …….”

“Mr CSA, I have a change in my circumstances – ok – so out of my £54 a week you want £10 of it – oh!”

Unable to get a job locally and unable to survive financially I started to Taxi drive.

Finally, I got that interview. “I am sorry Mr B we are unable to offer the local job but if you are prepared to travel the 150 miles we can give you job in ****”

“yes please – when can I start”

“Hello Mr CSA, I can’t make this taxi work but I’ve managed to get another job but I have to travel - can you allow the debts I have built up – no! – can you allow my travel costs – good! – oh! 10p per mile but not for the first 150 miles and only as the crow flies”

“But Mr CSA, I can’t fly! And any how - you only pay 10p per mile but not for the first 150 miles and only as the crow flies”

“Oh Mr CSA, you want the essential car allowance I get”

“But how can I buy the car that is essential if you take that money – and you won’t allow the loan I need”

“Mr CSA, can you look into my case – what about departures – Ok – you will look into it”

“Mr CSA, you have sent another assessment that is even bigger – but you were looking into it – OK – you’ll look into it”

“Mr CSA, you have sent YET another assessment that is even bigger – but you were looking into it – OK – you’ll look into it – what about Departures?”

“Mr CSA, I have to find somewhere else to live, my landlord is selling up – if I am able to buy a home – cos its probably impossible as my credit rating is poor and I have to pay high interest rates for loans for cars – I guess a mortgage is the same”

“Mr Mortgage, I love you – for the first time in ten years no one will be able to tell me that my rent is due – that I will have to move again”

“Mr CSA, this is how much it costs - would this be allowable – can you tell me how it all works – can you work it out for me so that I can see if I can afford it – thanks”

“ Hi Mr Mortgage – yes, I think I may be able to do it if you can get me one of those 107% MORTGAGES that allows me to fund removal costs, pay that lovely Secretary of State his Land Registry & Purchase Duty/Tax (what a lot of money that is – he must be a rich man that Secretary of State) and pay that Mr Solicitor and I’ve got a bit left to reduce that debt – yes in that case I can afford to do it”

“Oh! Mr CSA, you do not allow 107% mortgages and you want more of that essential car users allowance – but! But! But! ……………”

“Another detachment of earnings order – but how do I pay my bills, how do I get to work, how do I pay my mortgage, how do I pay my ………… MR Secretary of State says he can take 40% of my income – but his mate that Mr Brown already takes a great deal of it in taxation – his other mate takes 21% for his pockets – and that lovely DWP service takes around 10% and I am trying to do what that MR Blair wants me to do and buy a pension – BUT! BUT! …………….. you count that I have more money than I have – you do not allow my travel costs of £500 per month – because my job is specialised and I cant get work locally – oh! Mr Secretary of State does not care about that – BUT! BUT! ……………. You will not allow a 100+% mortgage BUT! BUT! BUT! I never had enough money to save for a deposit ……… I thought it was the right thing to do and I checked with you first ……………. Oh! You only roughly calculate payments - you have actually have to have a change of circumstance before you can tell me how much I will have to pay – its not your fault – that lovely Mr Secretary of State says that’s how it is ………. ok! Its off to Departures for me”

“But! But! …….. Mr CSA ………. If you do this I cannot pay my mortgage, my bills, can’t get to work ……. That lovely Mr Brown won’t have his direct or indirect taxation ……. You will have to take that £10 from my £54 a week and I will need to be housed in that B&B – Mr Council Taxpayer will pay ……… my £44 left is not going to buy too many drinks!”

So now I can see how I got to this state.

Anon!

http://affair-of-the-estranged-father-csa.blogspot.com


http://affair-of-the-estranged-father-csa.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Robert Neil Adey doesn't pay any money towards the up keep of his 7 year old daughter since leaving her mother two years ago. He works six days a week but refuses to help with the cost of clothes and toys or even just food. He works for Coach Services in Thetford.

Anonymous said...

Anything Robert Neil Adey has bought he then asks for the money back from the mother. What sort of scum is this waste of space.