Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Child Maintenance Service: Effectiveness

Monday 19 October 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister stated the government's commitment to supporting parents through the Child Maintenance Service.
  • Bob Neill expressed concerns that some constituents feel the CMS has failed to pursue outstanding claims effectively.
  • Minister confirmed that those abusing the system face full enforcement by the CMS.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bob Neill Con
Children & Families
Context

The effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) in collecting child maintenance is under scrutiny due to reports from constituents and media.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service in collecting child maintenance?

Answer from Mims Davies

This Government have made clear their commitment to supporting both paying and receiving parents, especially during this difficult period. Around three quarters of paying parents are paying towards their liability. The Child Maintenance Service will continue to pursue all cases where appropriate, and I stress that anyone found to be abusing the system risks being subject to the full extent of our enforcement powers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific statistics or assessment results regarding the effectiveness were not provided; only a general commitment was given.

How: General Commitment

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Q2 Bob Neill Con
Children & Families
Context

Constituents have reported that the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is failing to adequately pursue outstanding child maintenance claims, exemplified by a case where a private pension was not disclosed and action taken only after an appeal.

Question

I am sorry to say that the Minister's words do not sit with the experience of some of my constituents, who feel that the Child Maintenance Service has failed them in pursuing outstanding claims. I shall give the House one example... (details omitted for brevity). That is letting that person down, not supporting them.

Answer from Mims Davies

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this issue, and I stress that those found abusing the system are subject to the full extent of our enforcement powers. The CMS will pursue these people, where appropriate. Our key partners are in communication with us to make sure that we secure the appropriate court dates for cases impacted by the covid-19 pandemic and that we are establishing our full and normal range of enforcement services. Where payments have been missed we are taking action to re-establish compliance, and I am happy to look at the issue for him.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or timelines for addressing the mentioned case were not provided; only general reassurances were given.

How: General Commitment

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