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Prime Minister, David Cameron, has been blasted by critics following comments he made concerning absent fathers in yesterday’s Sunday Telegraph. In the article, Cameron states that “we need to make Britain a genuinely hostile place for fathers who go AWOL,” going on to add that “they need the message rammed home to them, from every part of our culture, that what they’re doing is wrong – that leaving single mothers, who do a heroic job against all odds, to fend for themselves simply isn’t acceptable”. These comments have sparked fierce debate, with Labour stating that the comments were “utterly disingenuous” and that policies that Cameron intends to introduce would in fact hinder single mothers. Shadow home secretary, Yvonne Cooper, said that Cameron’s words were “hollow” pointing out that single mothers that needed to enlist the help of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission (CMEC) would be required to pay an upfront fee of £100 (£50 if they claim benefits) plus an on-going charge of between 7 and 12 per cent of any money paid by the absent parent when payments were collected and enforced by the CMEC. Erin Pizzey, founder of domestic violence charity Refuge, accused the Prime Minister of narrow mindedness, noting that there are any number of reasons why fathers may not be involved in their children’s lives, further stating that singling out fathers was wrong adding "There is a vast mass of women who are equally as feckless as the men and we never talk about them." A spokesperson from website onlydads.org agreed that Mr Cameron’s statements were oversimplifications, adding that there were numerous cultural, economic and legal issues which can prevent fathers from enjoying a relationship with their children following a separation or divorce. Plans to cut the country’s legal aid budget – as reported by Quickie Divorce on 8th June – are likely to further impede estranged father’s attempts to see their children. The cuts to the family court are expected to be so severe that less affluent fathers that require the court’ assistance in order to see their children will now have no option but to represent themselves.