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Dead Beat Dads set to take on the CSA



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Published Date: 16 June 2008
By Paul Marsden
A THORNTON dad-of-three has launched a support group to help fathers who are battling with the Child Support Agency.
Train driver Maurice Barnett, 37, has started the Dead Beat Dads association in a bid to put pressure on agency bosses.

What do you think about the Dead Beat Dads plan? Leave comments below.

He claims the CSA's tactics when collecting payments leave fathers out of pocket, depressed and unable to see their children.

The fledgling group, which already has 10 members, is planning protests against the CSA's handling of fathers' affairs.

Mr Barnett, of Fleetwood Road South, has accused the agency of "degrading fathers" by "robbing them of their money" and dignity and said his experience of the system left him suffering from depression and set to have his former family home repossessed.

He said: "We want a fairer system set-up.

"Any man's rights have been completely eroded away. You could pay your ex-wife cash-in-hand for six years, fall out and she can contact the CSA who demand you pay it all again.

"When they get involved, fathers are losing contact with their children.

"Fathers are moving out of the home, paying for their children and then being told their bedsit isn't appropriate or they can't afford to pick up their children."

Protests planned by the group are expected to be less eye-catching than fellow fathers' group, Fathers 4 Justice, but aimed at meeting influential figures to change CSA policies.

High profile stunts by Fathers 4 Justice have included flour bombing former prime minister Tony Blair and last weekend climbing on to the roof of Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman's house dressed as superheroes.

The Dead Beat Dads has been co-founded by Mr Barnett's partner Sherri-Lee Barnett, 39, who is training to be a councillor.

She said: "MPs up and down the country are being bombarded with calls for help from fathers.

"We hear the CSA are asking non-resident fathers what is the limit on your credit card? Can you remortgage your house? Just to get people to settle their arrears.

"They are telling people they shouldn't have had a second family."

But a spokesman for the Department of Work and Pensions defended the CSA's record.

He said: "Every parent has a financial responsibility for their child.

"We look at each case individually to ensure the correct maintenance assessment is made.

"This isn't about securing money for the CSA but about recovering money for those children who are owed it."

Anyone wanting to get in contact with Mr Barnett can ring him on 07523 936072 or visit www.dead beatdadsassociation.co.uk

The full article contains 451 words and appears in Blackpool Gazette newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 16 June 2008 11:35 AM
  • Source: Blackpool Gazette
  • Location: Blackpool
 
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Roy, South Shore,

16/06/2008 12:39:59
"We look at each case individually to ensure the correct maintenance assessment is made" This is possibly true but it took them three years to re-assess my best friend when THEY made an error. It was only through the kind actions of his former wife actually giving him money back that he wasn't living on the streets! I wish the government would stop burying their heads in the sand about the CSA
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commonsensical,

16/06/2008 13:54:00
I know someone who is being chased by the CSA. He hasn’t seen his children for over five years, and his ex-wife has remarried, and even changed the children’s names to that of her new husband. The CSA have told him that if he doesn’t pay his arrears they will take his driving licence off him. He is self-employed, and needs his vehicle for his business, and without his vehicle he will be unemployed. He will then no doubt be hassled by the Job Centre bureaucrats to find another job, which might be difficult without a driving licence.

It is worth remembering that the CSA was introduced by the Conservatives, and continued by Labour, before anyone tries to make party political points!
3

sandgrownen 1977,

16/06/2008 14:15:34
"commonsensical"
Just because he hasn't seen his children for whatever reason does not mean he should get away without having to pay towards their upbringing. The children are his, and even though they have a new stepfather, he is their father and so should be providing. You have mentioned he is self employed and so i presume he has the means to pay for his kids. My ex doesn't see our children-his decision-does that mean he shouldn't pay either?? Of course he should!!! Children dont pay for themselves!
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disgusted NANAOF5@BTINTERNET.COM,

16/06/2008 15:02:02
when i got remarried ; my new husband was responsible for my kids and my ex ;s maintenance was dropped ; so i dont know if the last statement is right; if it is its totally unfair ; it isnt always the fathers fault a marraige breaks up
5

beachcomber,

blackpool 16/06/2008 15:20:41
one of the most common things u hear people saying in any dispute is " my ex partner will never see my children again"
it takes two to make a baby,neither parent has sole"ownership" they have responsibility til the child is old enough to look after itself. People often make babies with no consideration for the future, just their own bit of fun. Parents use their children as pawns, it is a form of abuse. Both parents need to take responsibility financially and emotionally for their offspring regardless of their marital state. The CSA is not exactly a top class department, but if these parents werent deadbeat, there would be no need for the csa.
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j bailey,

16/06/2008 22:51:11
no one has the right to say who has access to a child no-body owns a child not even there own parents, parents are given these special gifts to bring up in a law abiding way and not to use against one another if you give a child respect it will return it five fold. remember a child only reflects his own upbringing.
my son is denied the love of his son and has not seen him for five years because his mother is using him as a weapon of hate,he is denied contact with his cousen's, aunts, uncles and grandparents,people say he is withdrawn,the child is the only loser and the authorty condones thisall the way.
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Bonny Lass,

uk 17/06/2008 08:22:24
Sadly a lot of parents experiance problems with the CSA, wether its due to delays, errors or maladministration, or wether we are PWC, NRP or NRPP.

Ultimately its our children that become the real victims.

If like others, you have suffered due to CSA incompetence, your not on your own, take a look at join us at:

http://afairercsaforall.myfanforum.org
8

,

17/06/2008 09:54:52
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
9

,

17/06/2008 13:50:43
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
10

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17/06/2008 17:24:22
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
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