Kieran Mullan, a Conservative MP from Bexhill and Battle, raised the issue of non-payment of child maintenance by parents. He emphasised that while most parents take responsibility for their children's financial upkeep, there is a significant number who do not comply. He argued that such behaviour should be considered more severely than petty crimes like vandalism because it affects children directly. Mullan pointed out that despite some improvements in collecting unpaid maintenance, arrears continue to rise, with over £436 million owed and expected to reach £1 billion by 2031. He called for stricter penalties such as home curfew or detention to punish non-payers effectively.