Child Maintenance Service: Reform

She thanked the hon. Member for Motherwell and Wishaw for bringing this debate, highlighting the connection between being a single parent and risk of poverty. She noted that children are entitled to support from both parents and that child poverty should be ended. Alison McGovern pointed out that paying parents moving from direct pay onto collect and pay owed an average of £1,100 in arrears, which is significant for families struggling with rising costs.

The SNP wants a root-and-branch review of the Child Maintenance Service to make it work more effectively for children. The speaker is concerned about the 91,000 civil service jobs that are disappearing and requests no cuts in the CMS workforce as they need more workers. He highlighted systemic errors such as fees imposed on receiving parents using the child maintenance service include a £20 charge unless under 19 or having suffered domestic abuse, plus a 4% surcharge for collect and pay. The latest DWP figures show that of the 158,400 paying parents due to pay the collect and pay service in December 2021, 36,500 paid up to 90%, and 70,600 paid over 90%. A National Audit Office report found £451.1 million in unpaid maintenance since 2012. The speaker called for effective enforcement action and a minimum maintenance payment to protect children from poverty. He thanked the Minister and associated himself with his remarks, mentioning that an early-day motion will be tabled to praise Rangers' achievements in the Europa League this season. I agree. Other hon. Members may not quite agree with everything that the hon. Gentleman just said, but I think we can all agree that it was a remarkable achievement.

Shannon expressed concerns about the difficulties faced by mothers who struggle financially after a relationship breakdown, often due to men controlling finances and evading child maintenance payments. He highlighted issues such as inconsistent communication with CMS staff and inadequate pursuit of properties and bank accounts for financial enforcement. Shannon requested increased urgency in addressing cases and assigning dedicated officers to them. He associated himself with the Minister's comments, expressing his long-standing support for Rangers despite their recent loss, highlighting that the team showcased unity in the United Kingdom. Jim Shannon questioned the DWP's ability to investigate cases thoroughly where men hide their incomes, suggesting that properties might be transferred into the ownership of family members or new partners. He asked if there will be a review of the system leading to more thorough investigations. Shannon also proposed including discussions with the ex-wife as part of the process. Parents need to honour their responsibilities to their children and the CMS is designed to promote collaboration between parents.

Ms Ferrier highlighted the Child Maintenance Service's failure to address issues since its inception in 2012, noting that parents have to pay for access and satisfaction levels are low. She pointed out that child maintenance is a gendered issue affecting single mothers disproportionately, with research showing 60% of children could be lifted out of poverty if maintenance was paid properly. She detailed cases where victims of domestic abuse face additional challenges in accessing the service, including being charged to use it despite exemptions for those suffering from abuse.