Petition · Ministry of Justice

Amend the Children Act to make parental responsibility enforceable

Open for signatures 9 signatures

What the petition asks

Amend section 3 of the Children Act 1989 to define enforceable financial and practical duties attached to parental responsibility, with proportionate consequences where a parent who has the ability to contribute persistently and deliberately fails to meet them.
Parental responsibility should mean enforceable duties to the child, not just legal rights. Some parents retain rights, seek court orders or claim shared care while providing little reliable practical or financial support. The law should require fair financial contribution, accurate income information and dependable agreed care, with consequences for deliberate non-payment, repeated cancellations, hidden income and abusive court applications. The child’s welfare must always come first.

Timeline

30 Jul 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 9
Status Open for signatures
Department Ministry of Justice
Opened 30 Jul 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 31 Jul 2026.