Family Justice System 2026-06-30

2026-06-30

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Max Wilkinson Lib Dem
Cheltenham
Context
Concerns about financial fairness when family courts decide on a 50:50 care split, leading to unequal financial outcomes due to decisions made by the Child Maintenance Service based on child benefit status.
When family courts decide that care is to be split between parents 50:50, we might expect that fair financial arrangements follow. However, when courts make that ruling, and the Child Maintenance Service makes decisions based on which parent is the recipient of child benefit, one parent often finds they are significantly worse off than the other. Will Ministers have a word with their colleagues in the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure that the justice system and the CMS work more closely to achieve financial fairness for both parents in cases where courts rule for 50:50 care splits?
In individual cases, how those financial settlements are made is a matter for the judiciary. There should be join-up between areas of Government, and I am happy to take away his direction that we should liaise with DWP colleagues to ensure child maintenance is addressed fairly.
Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to address financial fairness issues in 50:50 care splits
Will Take Away His Direction
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Josh Fenton-Glynn Lab
Calder Valley
Context
Concerns about the justice for children murdered by abusive ex-partners, highlighting a need to repeal the presumption of parental involvement in the Children Act 1989.
Will the Minister reassure me that we remain committed to repealing in this Parliament the presumption of contact in family courts, to bring full justice to the 67 children murdered at the hands of abusive ex-partners with whom contact should never have been granted?
We are resolute and committed to repealing the presumption of parental involvement in the Children Act 1989 through the Courts and Tribunals Bill. The campaigning efforts have been heroic, and we will redouble our efforts to ensure repeal.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy