Cross-party Group on Family Separation
As of November 2024, we have been unable to find a chair for this group and so are unable to restart as an official all-party group. However, 50 parliamentarians have registered their support, so we will continue to work as an unregistered group.
According to the rules “Unregistered cross-party groups are not permitted to use the crowned
portcullis in any form, or to use the terms “All-Party”, or “parliamentary” in
their name. They have a lower priority than registered groups when booking
meeting rooms on the parliamentary estate.”
However, these are small inhibitions to promoting knowledge about and action for family separation reform.
Mailing list of parliamentarians
See the current mailing list here: Total 40: 18 MPs, 22 Peers
Former APPG on Family Separation
The process of forming an all-party group in the UK parliament was initiated in December 2022. It was registered in April 2023. It ran till parliament was dissolved for the general election in May 2024.
What is an APPG?
“All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are informal cross-party groups that have no official status within Parliament. They are run by and for Members of the Commons and Lords, though many choose to involve individuals and organisations from outside Parliament in their administration and activities.”
(Note: This APPG is entirely separate from the Coalition on this website. It will hear it’s own evidence, make its own decisions, write it’s own reports etc.)
Remit
“To promote education and changes to the law and practice relating to separating parents and the welfare of their children which would:
- protect children from the stresses and trauma of their parents’ separation
- maintain healthy relationships
- achieve more agreement outside the family court system
- reduce delay and financial cost
Chair and Officers
The APPG is currently suspended due to the 2024 general election. We are seeking new officers.
Activities of the APPG
Create and distribute briefings
In progress. Due to the secrecy in the Family Court process, parliamentarians receive little information about the problems with the process. These briefings will aim to improve this information-imbalance. View briefings here.
Task 1: Early resolution consultation
Completed: To bring together a range of experts in the field of family separation with a view to making a submission to the consultation ‘Supporting earlier resolution of private family law arrangements’. (deadline 15 June 2023). The APPG did not make a submission of it’s own, but we convened a group of experts to advise on how to respond. This advise was distributed to Advisory Panel members and others to help them with their response.
Inquiry 1: ‘Better outcomes for the children of separating parents.’
Completed May 2024. Read the full report here. See the evidence given to the APPG.
This is a wider inquiry into all the options for enhancing the conditions for out-of-court approaches, including parental education, family support and interventions, private resolution, arbitration as well as mediation.