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Single mothers will be forced to name baby's father on birth certificate - or pay 200 fine
Last updated at 02:48am on 03.06.08
Insisting both parents were named on the birth certificate would make fathers acknowledge their responsibilities
Unmarried mothers will have to include the name of their child's father on birth certificates under sweeping changes to the law unveiled yesterday.
Men who claim they are being excluded will also get the right to demand a paternity test and be formally acknowledged on registers.
The Government proposals aim to give more children the 'security' of being acknowledged by both parents.
Under its plans GPs or social workers will be asked to corroborate claims that the woman or child would be at risk by naming the father, while those who say they do not know the father's identity would have to persuade the registrar they are telling the truth.
Ministers believe that making it a legal responsibility for fathers to register births jointly with mothers will also make it easier to settle disputes over child maintenance.
Fathers who refuse to be named and mothers who do not record the father's name are liable for a £200 fine.
Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell, who won a battle against Cabinet colleagues who opposed the plan, outlined the proposals in a White Paper.
Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman is understood to have expressed concern that the system would tar some children permanently by associating them with undesirable fathers.
But Mr Purnell insisted: 'It's crucial that from the day they are born, both mum and dad recognise the role they play in their child's life and how that shapes their child's identity.
'We want to ensure that while continuing to protect vulnerable women and children, we promote parental responsibility and child welfare by significantly increasing the number of birth registrations which hold the details of both mother and father.'
In 2005 275,000 babies were born outside marriage in Britain. Every year 50,000 have the father's name left blank on their birth certificate.
The white paper would still allow mothers to omit a father's name if they can prove exceptional circumstances - including domestic violence or abuse. Children born as a result of rape or sperm donation will also be granted exemption.
Opposition MPs accused the Government of sending out mixed messages on parental responsibility.
Tory work and pensions spokesman Andrew Selous said: 'The Government has completely failed to send a clear message on the need for responsible fathers in children's lives.
'The Government must start making this a political priority by removing the penalties on couples in the tax and benefits system, recognising the contribution of family breakdown to poverty and working practically to strengthen family relationships.'
Reader views (8)
I have read this article this article with great interest as someone i know wants to be put on the birth cert but has been denied his right to be. he was catagorically lied to as to when the registration was being done and it was done behind his back...i also read the comments that have been left....i understand that some men dont want to know and in some cases the women prefer this but what about the men who are being denied this.....isnt it their right to challenge the laws that are heavily weighted in the womens favor..
this women in particular has been spiteful to the point where she is denying someone who wants to be there the right to do so....im for an increase in fathers rights,i think they should they should have been in place from the very beginning...women wants equal rights....well so do men
- Anon, Kent,uk
WEll I've just been told that I'm the father of a 3 week old boy and mother is happy for me to NOT be on the birth certificate. Does this mean I will be forced to be named on the certificate against both our wishes?
- John, Edinburgh
well it makes it harder to get a passport for my little one since this thing came out that fathers have to be on the birth certificate. i have to see a lawyer now coz i dont know were the father is if we can find him i hope he says yes if no she cant go all thanks to this thing allowing faathers on birth certificates im not happy with it at all thank u.
- April Cioch, geelong
You can lead a horse to water comes to mind, another unworkable
idea by nu labour.
- Mick Wright, Northants UK
More bully boy tactics from Labour.
This is only a back door ruse so the Child Support Agency can chase the father for maintenance payments, knowing he is the father, and avoiding paternity disputes.
- Clifford Chambers, Ashford, Kent
There will suddenly be lots of Micky Mice and Donald Ducks fathering kiddies across the UK!
- Gary, Wycombe
Why bother with a £200 fine? You know the state will simply pick up the tab for them.
Take it further, and make it clear that leaving the name blank is their choice, but in doing so they waive their right to any kind of housing and child benefit.
- Scott, London
Are we heading straight back to the eighteenth century when unmarried women in labour were refused the services of a midwife until they had named the father of their unborn child? The motive was the same - so that the parish did not have to pay to support the child. We seem to be rushing faster and faster back to the 18C when services were either private or financed/organised as local charities. The government doesn't yet seem to have hit on the idea of having regiments sponsored by companies instead of dukes, but I'm sure that will come!
- Susanne, Watford, UK
