Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Child Maintenance Service

Monday 13 May 2024 · 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

  • The Government reported an increase from 65% to 68% in those paying maintenance through collect and pay since December 2022.
  • The Minister expressed concern over a loophole allowing paying parents with non-taxable overseas income to avoid child maintenance payments.
  • The Government consulted on moving from collect and pay to direct pay for all claimants to enhance compliance.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Green Lib Dem Chesham and Amersham
Children & Families
Context

The Liberal Democrat MP raised concerns about the effectiveness of securing funds from paying parents through the Child Maintenance Service. She noted an increase from 65% to 68% in payments made through collect and pay since December 2022.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service in securing funds from paying parents? Since December 2022, there has been an increase from 65% to 68% in those paying something towards maintenance through collect and pay. However, this does not fully reflect the service's overall efficiency or the impact on separated families receiving support.

Answer from Paul Maynard

The Government are committed to ensuring that separated parents support their children, taking robust enforcement action against those who do not do so. Since December 2022, there has been an increase from 65% to 68% in those paying something towards maintenance through collect and pay.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for a recent assessment of the service's effectiveness was not directly addressed with details or statistics.

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Q2 Sarah Green Lib Dem Chesham and Amersham
Children & Families
Context

The Liberal Democrat MP highlighted a loophole that allows paying parents who earn non-taxable income overseas to avoid making child maintenance payments. She cited an instance where this loophole led to financial abuse of a constituent.

Question

Last year, I wrote to the Department about a loophole that allows paying parents who earn non-taxable income overseas to avoid making child maintenance payments. For one of my constituents, that loophole has allowed their ex-partner not to pay any maintenance and effectively engage in financial abuse towards them. Will the Minister meet me to discuss that loophole, to ensure that paying parents are fulfilling their financial obligations to their children?

Answer from Paul Maynard

I am obviously concerned to hear that case. We have just had a consultation on the possibility of moving from collect and pay to direct pay for all claimants, which would certainly help to put a greater focus on compliance. Although I am more than happy to arrange a meeting, I am not sure that one with me would be much help, because I am not in charge of child maintenance. I will ask the relevant Minister in the Lords to have a meeting with the hon. Member.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The request for a direct meeting was partially addressed but redirected to another minister without immediate commitment.

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