Press Releases

• Brian Binley is to present Shared Parenting Bill in the House of Commons
• The Bill would make it much easier for both parents to stay in a child's life following separation or divorce

Brian Binley, Conservative MP for Northampton South, today presents to the House of Commons a Bill on Shared Parenting. It would make it much easier for both parents to stay in a child's life following separation or divorce. It would also provide appropriate safeguards in the minority of cases where shared parenting is not the best solution.

There is abundant evidence that a child's chances in life are greatly improved if both parents continue to be involved significantly in their lives following separation or divorce. They stand a better chance of getting educational qualifications, of getting a job and remaining in employment, and of staying out of prison than children who do not have two active parents.

Currently the law too often has a divisive impact on families, treating one parent as the sole carer and the other as the sole financial provider. The reality is very different. Very often both parents want to play a full role in the child's life, and are well able to do so, but the law prevents this.

Shared parenting legislation is increasingly common elsewhere in the world. Australia, France, Denmark, Belgium and a number of US states are examples. Australia has had such legislation since 2006 and recent research shows the benefits are already starting to emerge.

Brian Binley said “Shared Parenting legislation is vitally important for all involved, especially the children. Very often Court Orders are made without the knowledge of the importance of a father’s involvement and my Bill will make sure that neither parent is shut out from the child’s life when sadly a relationship breaks down. I don’t need to underline the importance of both parents in a child’s life. A significant proportion of the social problems in today’s society are a result of when a child doesn’t have the love and support of both parents where safe. I hope that this bill will go some way to help this, which will only be good for society.”

Becky Jarvis, Policy Officer of Families Need Fathers, commented "the Bill takes account of experience elsewhere. We need Shared Parenting legislation urgently (and comparable legislation elsewhere in the UK). The UK is falling behind the rest of the world. We need family law fit for the 21st century."

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