Child Maintenance Service legislative framework and reform

20 May 2026 | Written evidence evidence

Written Evidence: CMS IT Systems 1991–2025 – Child Maintenance Inquiry

Why linked: Filled the "CMS case management and IT system documentation" gap via web research

Detailed written evidence submitted to a UK parliamentary committee providing a comprehensive analysis of the IT systems used across all statutory child maintenance schemes from 1991 to 2025, including the CMS2012 platform architecture (Oracle Siebel CRM, TCS BaNCS, Oracle SOA/ESB), …

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29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to help improve (a) response times to (i) queries and (ii) complaints and (b) other communication between the…

Why linked: Written question on CMS response times and complaint handling - directly relevant to administrative procedure and service performance

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to help improve (a) response times to (i) queries and (ii) complaints and (b) other communication between the Child Maintenance Service and service users.

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29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service in ensuring its processes remain gender-neutral…

Why linked: Written question on CMS effectiveness and process integrity - directly relevant to legislative framework and operational assessment

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service in ensuring its processes remain gender-neutral, particularly in relation to evidential requirements where p

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27 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing the Child Maintenance Service to issue a deduction from earnings order rather than a deduction of earnings request to HM Paymaster G

Why linked: Written question on potential enforcement powers (deduction from earnings) for CMS - directly relevant to statutory enforcement mechanisms in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing the Child Maintenance Service to issue a deduction from earnings order rather than a deduction of earnings request …

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23 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average response time is for the a) Child Support Agency and b) Child Maintenance Service.

Why linked: Written question to SWP on CMS and Child Support Agency response times - directly relevant to CMS performance scrutiny

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average response time is for the a) Child Support Agency and b) Child Maintenance Service.

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21 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to improve training for Child Maintenance Service call handlers on (a) vulnerable people and (b) victims of domestic abuse.

Why linked: Written question on CMS call handler training for vulnerable people - directly relevant to administrative procedure and service delivery

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to improve training for Child Maintenance Service call handlers on (a) vulnerable people and (b) victims of domestic abuse.

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20 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the accuracy of the payment calculation approach used by the Child Maintenance Service.

Why linked: Written question on accuracy of CMS payment calculation approach - directly relevant to statutory calculation framework

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the accuracy of the payment calculation approach used by the Child Maintenance Service.

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20 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of removing the 4% collection fees for receiving parents using the child maintenance service.

Why linked: Written question on potential removal of 4% collection fees - directly relevant to CMS fee structure and reform

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of removing the 4% collection fees for receiving parents using the child maintenance service.

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20 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure (a) transparency and (b) accountability in the administration of child maintenance services.

Why linked: Written question on CMS transparency and accountability - directly relevant to administrative procedure and governance

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure (a) transparency and (b) accountability in the administration of child maintenance services.

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20 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help ensure that the child maintenance service a) minimises and mitigates administrative or otherwise errors and b) that parents using the child maintenance service are not in

Why linked: Written question on CMS steps to mitigate administrative errors - directly relevant to statutory procedure and operational reform

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help ensure that the child maintenance service a) minimises and mitigates administrative or otherwise errors and b) that parents using the child maintenance service …

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20 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is currently taking to improve the training of staff and quality of service for users of the child maintenance service.

Why linked: Written question on CMS staff training and service quality - directly relevant to administrative procedure and service delivery

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is currently taking to improve the training of staff and quality of service for users of the child maintenance service.

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20 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Child Maintenance Service is taking to rectify technical errors in its automated billing system that result in paying parents receiving multiple, conflicting requests for different paymen

Why linked: Written question on CMS automated billing system errors - directly relevant to statutory calculation framework and administrative procedure

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Child Maintenance Service is taking to rectify technical errors in its automated billing system that result in paying parents receiving multiple, conflicting requests for different paymen

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13 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to improve transparency in Child Maintenance Service decision-making.

Why linked: Written question on CMS decision-making transparency - directly relevant to administrative procedure and accountability

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to improve transparency in Child Maintenance Service decision-making.

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9 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the Child Maintenance Service’s (a) call-back performance and (b) adherence to its own…

Why linked: Written question on CMS call-back and administrative performance - directly relevant to service procedure and performance

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the Child Maintenance Service’s (a) call-back performance and (b) adherence to its own service level agreements regarding telephone communicati

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9 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average time is for the Child Maintenance Service to resolve complaints escalated beyond initial review.

Why linked: Written question on CMS complaint resolution times - directly relevant to administrative procedure and appeals process

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average time is for the Child Maintenance Service to resolve complaints escalated beyond initial review.

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7 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average annual amount of child maintenance paid through the Child Maintenance Service was in the most recent year for which figures are…

Why linked: Written question on CMS payment data - directly relevant to operational statistics and performance monitoring

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average annual amount of child maintenance paid through the Child Maintenance Service was in the most recent year for which figures are available.

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30 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to improve the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service in (a) identifying non-compliance and (b) taking enforcement action to tackle non-compliance.

Why linked: Written question on CMS effectiveness in identifying non-compliance and enforcement - directly relevant to enforcement powers and procedures

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to improve the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service in (a) identifying non-compliance and (b) taking enforcement action to tackle non-compliance.

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30 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the extent to which administrative errors by the Child Maintenance Service contribute to the creation of incorrect arrears; and what steps his Department is taking to rect

Why linked: Written question on CMS administrative errors and arrears - directly relevant to administrative procedure and statutory calculation framework

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the extent to which administrative errors by the Child Maintenance Service contribute to the creation of incorrect arrears; and what steps his Department is …

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26 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) paying and (b) receiving parents use the Child Maintenance Service Collect and Pay service; and how many (i) paying and (ii) receiving parents will move onto that service as a result of pro

Why linked: Written question on CMS Collect and Pay service usage - directly relevant to collection mechanism and statutory arrangement

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) paying and (b) receiving parents use the Child Maintenance Service Collect and Pay service; and how many (i) paying and (ii) receiving parents will move onto that …

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26 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much revenue was generated from fees charged under the Child Maintenance Service Collect and Pay scheme in 2024-25; and what estimate she has made of the total annual revenue expected to be generate

Why linked: Written question on CMS fee revenue from Collect and Pay - directly relevant to fee structure and statutory charging framework

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much revenue was generated from fees charged under the Child Maintenance Service Collect and Pay scheme in 2024-25; and what estimate she has made of the total annual revenue …

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26 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Child Maintenance Service takes to (a) verify and (b) obtain up-to-date addresses for paying parents in cases where enforcement action cannot proceed due to the absence of a confirmed add

Why linked: Written question on CMS address verification procedures - directly relevant to enforcement procedures and statutory process

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Child Maintenance Service takes to (a) verify and (b) obtain up-to-date addresses for paying parents in cases where enforcement action cannot proceed due to the absence of …

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26 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in the past year what has the average time been for the Child Maintenance Service to obtain a verified address for a paying parent once a caseworker identifies that one is missing; and what processes ar

Why linked: Written question on CMS average time to verify paying parent address - directly relevant to enforcement process efficiency

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in the past year what has the average time been for the Child Maintenance Service to obtain a verified address for a paying parent once a caseworker identifies that one …

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26 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether a justice of the peace is required to issue a summons before the Child Maintenance Service makes an application for a liability order.

Why linked: Written question on legal requirement for justice of peace involvement in CMS enforcement - directly relevant to enforcement statutory procedure

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether a justice of the peace is required to issue a summons before the Child Maintenance Service makes an application for a liability order.

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26 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Child Maintenance Service issues summons documents without the involvement of a justice of the peace.

Why linked: Written question on CMS issuance of summons without justice of peace - directly relevant to enforcement statutory procedure and powers

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Child Maintenance Service issues summons documents without the involvement of a justice of the peace.

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25 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the total operating expenditure of the Child Maintenance Service was in the 2024-25 financial year.

Why linked: Direct PQ on CMS operating expenditure - core legislative framework and resource accountability

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the total operating expenditure of the Child Maintenance Service was in the 2024-25 financial year.

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25 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when his Department last reviewed the Child Maintenance Service’s policy framework for modern shared-care arrangements; and whether the Service plans to reform its policies on cases where both parents a

Why linked: Direct PQ on CMS policy framework for shared-care arrangements - policy reform and statutory powers

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when his Department last reviewed the Child Maintenance Service’s policy framework for modern shared-care arrangements; and whether the Service plans to reform its policies on cases where both parents a

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25 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of legal oversight and procedural safeguards in the enforcement processes used by the Child Maintenance Service; and if he will review (a) the pro

Why linked: Direct PQ on legal oversight and procedural safeguards in CMS enforcement - statutory powers and regulatory standards

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of legal oversight and procedural safeguards in the enforcement processes used by the Child Maintenance Service; and if he will review …

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25 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans his Department has to review the internal complaints process of the Child Maintenance Service.

Why linked: Written question on CMS internal complaints process review plans - directly relevant to administrative procedure and appeals framework

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans his Department has to review the internal complaints process of the Child Maintenance Service.

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18 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the planned commencement date is for the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023.

Why linked: Written question on commencement date of Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023 - directly relevant to primary legislation implementation

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the planned commencement date is for the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023.

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18 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what enforcement powers are exercised by the Child Maintenance Service pending the commencement of the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023.

Why linked: Written question on enforcement powers pending Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023 commencement - directly relevant to statutory powers and implementation

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what enforcement powers are exercised by the Child Maintenance Service pending the commencement of the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023.

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17 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many complaints to the Child Maintenance Service were resolved (a) within 15 working days, (b) between 15-20 working days, (c) between 20-30 working days and (d) after 30 working days in each year s

Why linked: Written question on CMS complaints resolution timelines — administrative procedure and procedural rules in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many complaints to the Child Maintenance Service were resolved (a) within 15 working days, (b) between 15-20 working days, (c) between 20-30 working days and (d) after 30 working …

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17 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for complaints investigations in the Child Maintenance Service that lasted longer than 15 working days, what percentage of complainants received written confirmation of this delay in the last year.

Why linked: Written question on CMS complaints investigation timescales — administrative procedure and operational guidance relevant

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for complaints investigations in the Child Maintenance Service that lasted longer than 15 working days, what percentage of complainants received written confirmation of this delay in the last year.

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17 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help improve complaint response times from the Child Maintenance Service.

Why linked: PQ on complaint response times improvement - relates to administrative procedure and CMS operational framework

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help improve complaint response times from the Child Maintenance Service.

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17 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether complaints to the Child Maintenance Service that are time-sensitive to payment deadlines are prioritised.

Why linked: Written question on CMS complaint prioritisation procedures — administrative procedure in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether complaints to the Child Maintenance Service that are time-sensitive to payment deadlines are prioritised.

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13 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many paying parents were newly recorded as being in arrears by the Child Maintenance Service in each of the last 24 months.

Why linked: Written question on CMS arrears recording — enforcement and administrative data relevant to legislative framework performance

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many paying parents were newly recorded as being in arrears by the Child Maintenance Service in each of the last 24 months.

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11 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what protections are in place within the Child Maintenance Service to support parents and children experiencing financial abuse.

Why linked: PQ on protections for financial abuse within CMS - relates to statutory safeguards and procedural framework

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what protections are in place within the Child Maintenance Service to support parents and children experiencing financial abuse.

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10 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service.

Why linked: Direct PQ on CMS effectiveness - policy reform scrutiny

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service.

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9 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to reform the Child Maintenance Service system.

Why linked: Direct PQ on CMS reform steps - explicitly on-topic legislative reform

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to reform the Child Maintenance Service system.

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9 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

What steps he is taking to improve the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service.

Why linked: Direct PQ on CMS effectiveness improvement - policy reform

What steps he is taking to improve the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service.

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5 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service in (a) recognising and applying court-ordered shared care arrangements when determining maintenance liabilit

Why linked: PQ on effectiveness of CMS in applying legislation - relates to statutory framework implementation

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service in (a) recognising and applying court-ordered shared care arrangements when determining maintenance liabilit

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4 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress his department has made on the implementation of the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023 in England and Wales.

Why linked: Written question on implementation of Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023 - directly relevant to primary legislation reform and implementation

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress his department has made on the implementation of the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023 in England and Wales.

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4 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has undertaken an impact assessment of the effect of calculating Child Maintenance Service payments on gross income on the financial wellbeing of paying parents in the last five y

Why linked: PQ on impact assessment of CMS payment calculations - relates to legislative reform and effects

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has undertaken an impact assessment of the effect of calculating Child Maintenance Service payments on gross income on the financial wellbeing of paying parents in the last …

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4 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to (a) identify and (b) investigate suspected under-declaration of income within the Child Maintenance Service.

Why linked: PQ on investigation of income under-declaration - relates to CMS enforcement powers

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to (a) identify and (b) investigate suspected under-declaration of income within the Child Maintenance Service.

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4 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what mechanisms are available to review child maintenance assessments where a paying parent is suspected of diverting income through (a) cash-based and (b) self-employed business activity.

Why linked: Written question on review mechanisms for assessments involving income diversion - directly relevant to statutory assessment procedures

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what mechanisms are available to review child maintenance assessments where a paying parent is suspected of diverting income through (a) cash-based and (b) self-employed business activity.

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3 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of payments were made through the Child Maintenance Service collect and pay system in each of the last three years.

Why linked: Direct PQ on CMS collect and pay system payments - service delivery framework

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of payments were made through the Child Maintenance Service collect and pay system in each of the last three years.

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3 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of data-sharing between the Child Maintenance Service and HM Revenue and Customs in detecting income manipulation.

Why linked: Direct PQ on CMS data-sharing effectiveness - regulatory standards and operational framework

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of data-sharing between the Child Maintenance Service and HM Revenue and Customs in detecting income manipulation.

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3 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to improve the enforcement processes of the Child Maintenance Service.

Why linked: PQ on enforcement process improvements - relates to legislative enforcement powers and reform

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to improve the enforcement processes of the Child Maintenance Service.

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3 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of reviewing the enforcement processes of the Child Maintenance Service.

Why linked: PQ on review of enforcement processes - directly addresses legislative reform of CMS powers

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of reviewing the enforcement processes of the Child Maintenance Service.

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3 Mar 2026 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to prevent economic abuse of women occurring through child maintenance; what safeguards the Child Maintenance Service has in place to identify and respond to such cas

Why linked: PQ on preventing economic abuse through child maintenance - relates to statutory safeguards and procedural framework

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to prevent economic abuse of women occurring through child maintenance; what safeguards the Child Maintenance Service has in place to identify and respond to …

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19 Nov 2025 | Committee report linked direct

Correspondence with HM Treasury, relating to reporting of Child Maintenance Service client fund accounts

Why linked: Parliamentary correspondence on CMS client fund accounts - financial and statutory oversight

Direction: unknown

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22 Oct 2025 | Committee report linked direct

We asked about the scope for government to make greater use of artificial intelligence to improve services. The ODP told us that there were numerous examples of individual departments using artificial intelligence in different ways. It told us about a particular example in DWP, where the 39 Qq 15, 50, 58 40 C&AG’s Report, para 2.16 41 C&AG’s Report, para 2.24 42 C&AG’s Report, paras 6 and 2.18 43 C&AG’s Report, Lesson B.3; Q6 44 C&AG’s Report, Case examples B.2.3, B.5.1-B.5.2, D.1.1-D.1.2 45 ...

Why linked: Parliamentary scrutiny material on government use of AI/predictive analytics — directly relevant to the CMS Predictive Analytics Compliance algorithmic transparency record.

We asked about the scope for government to make greater use of artificial intelligence to improve services. The ODP told us that there were numerous examples of individual departments using artificial intelligence in different ways. It told us about a …

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31 Jul 2025 | Written evidence Work and Pensions Committee linked direct

Child Maintenance Service

Why linked: Parliamentary written evidence on CMS effectiveness - direct reform scrutiny

Millions of children and parents are served by the Child Maintenance Service. But is it working as effectively as it could be so that the best interests of the child are being met? The Government has recently proposed changes to …

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6 May 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of removing the collection charge for receiving parents using the Child Maintenance Service’s Collect and Pay service.

Why linked: PQ on potential removal of collection charge for receiving parents — CMS fee structure reform proposal

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of removing the collection charge for receiving parents using the Child Maintenance Service’s Collect and Pay service.

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6 May 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to prevent the Child Maintenance Service being used in coercive and controlling behaviour by abusive ex-partners (a) by malicious reporting to the (i) police and (ii)

Why linked: PQ on CMS use in coercive and controlling behaviour — CMS operational/policy concern

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to prevent the Child Maintenance Service being used in coercive and controlling behaviour by abusive ex-partners (a) by malicious reporting to the (i) police …

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1 May 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to review the Child Maintenance Service threshold for assessing (a) inheritance and (b) other non-earned income.

Why linked: PQ on CMS threshold review for inheritance assessment — CMS operational/legislative review

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to review the Child Maintenance Service threshold for assessing (a) inheritance and (b) other non-earned income.

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29 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason the Child Maintenance Service deems receipt of Child Benefit to be sufficient evidence that a child is still in full-time education.

Why linked: PQ on CMS evidence standards for child status — CMS operational policy

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason the Child Maintenance Service deems receipt of Child Benefit to be sufficient evidence that a child is still in full-time education.

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29 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the timescale for the cancellation of debts owed to the Child Maintenance Service.

Why linked: PQ on adequacy of debt cancellation timescale — CMS enforcement procedures

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the timescale for the cancellation of debts owed to the Child Maintenance Service.

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29 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has plans for the compensation of children in Child Maintenance Service cases where the debt is cancelled.

Why linked: PQ on compensation plans for CMS debt cases — CMS enforcement and remedies

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has plans for the compensation of children in Child Maintenance Service cases where the debt is cancelled.

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29 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to expand the ability of bailiffs to enter a place of work to secure outstanding Child Maintenance Service loans.

Why linked: PQ on bailiff enforcement powers expansion — CMS enforcement mechanisms

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to expand the ability of bailiffs to enter a place of work to secure outstanding Child Maintenance Service loans.

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29 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of the Child Maintenance Service’s ability to secure outstanding loans.

Why linked: PQ on CMS ability to secure outstanding payments — CMS enforcement effectiveness

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of the Child Maintenance Service’s ability to secure outstanding loans.

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29 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an estimate of the number of Child Maintenance Service cases where bank accounts held in a joint name prohibited payment.

Why linked: PQ on bank account access in joint names — CMS enforcement powers

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an estimate of the number of Child Maintenance Service cases where bank accounts held in a joint name prohibited payment.

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29 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to increase the ability of the Child Maintenance Service to access bank accounts held in joint names for securing outstanding payments.

Why linked: PQ on expanding CMS access to joint bank accounts — CMS enforcement powers and remedies

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to increase the ability of the Child Maintenance Service to access bank accounts held in joint names for securing outstanding payments.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

29 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has plans for securing outstanding Child Maintenance Service payments when the party in arrears declares they have no fixed address.

Why linked: PQ on CMS payments when payer declares insolvency — CMS enforcement scenarios

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has plans for securing outstanding Child Maintenance Service payments when the party in arrears declares they have no fixed address.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

29 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has plans for securing outstanding Child Maintenance Service payments when the party in arrears declares they have no fixed place of work.

Why linked: PQ on CMS enforcement when payer declares insolvency — CMS enforcement procedures

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has plans for securing outstanding Child Maintenance Service payments when the party in arrears declares they have no fixed place of work.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

29 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the Child Maintenance Service has made of the potential impact of GDPR legislation on the ability of paying parents to find proof that their child is still in full-time education.

Why linked: PQ on GDPR impact on CMS enforcement — CMS operational/legal framework

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the Child Maintenance Service has made of the potential impact of GDPR legislation on the ability of paying parents to find proof that their child is still in …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

29 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the Child Maintenance Service has made of the potential merits of working with authorities with investigatory powers to help paying parents to find supporting information.

Why linked: PQ on CMS working with investigatory authorities — CMS enforcement and operational procedures

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the Child Maintenance Service has made of the potential merits of working with authorities with investigatory powers to help paying parents to find supporting information.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

9 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to improve enforcement against paying parents who repeatedly miss Child Maintenance Service payments.

Why linked: PQ on CMS payment enforcement - CMS enforcement powers and procedures

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to improve enforcement against paying parents who repeatedly miss Child Maintenance Service payments.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

7 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the Child Maintenance Service does not allow economic abuse through missed payments by the paying parent.

Why linked: PQ on CMS economic abuse safeguards and enforcement, policy reform relevant

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the Child Maintenance Service does not allow economic abuse through missed payments by the paying parent.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

1 Apr 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Gingerbread report entitled Fix the CMS, published on 25 November 2024, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of enabling Child Maintenance Service users

Why linked: PQ referencing Gingerbread 'Fix the CMS' report, departmental assessment of reform proposals

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Gingerbread report entitled Fix the CMS, published on 25 November 2024, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of enabling Child Maintenance Service …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

27 Mar 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to commence sections 2, 3 and 4(1) to (4) of the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023.

Why linked: Written question on commencement of Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023 sections - directly relevant to primary legislation implementation

To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to commence sections 2, 3 and 4(1) to (4) of the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

21 Mar 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason the Child Maintenance Service charges parents to use the Collect and Pay system.

Why linked: PQ on rationale for CMS Collect and Pay charging structure, policy reform and fees

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason the Child Maintenance Service charges parents to use the Collect and Pay system.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

21 Mar 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Child Maintenance Service Collect and Pay service fees on families.

Why linked: PQ on CMS Collect and Pay fee structure assessment, in-scope operational reform

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Child Maintenance Service Collect and Pay service fees on families.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

21 Mar 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has made of the average cost difference between the (a) paying and (b) receiving parents for the Child Maintenance Service Collect and Pay service charge.

Why linked: PQ on cost impacts of CMS fees for parents, fee structure and service accessibility

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has made of the average cost difference between the (a) paying and (b) receiving parents for the Child Maintenance Service Collect and Pay service charge.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

20 Mar 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2025 to Question 36448 on Pension Credit, how many staff were seconded from the Child Maintenance Services and Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt to process pension cr

Why linked: PQ mentioning CMS staffing secondment - tangentially relevant to CMS operational capacity but borderline

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2025 to Question 36448 on Pension Credit, how many staff were seconded from the Child Maintenance Services and Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

20 Mar 2025 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of fees to use the Child Maintenance Service's Collect and Pay system on people using that system.

Why linked: PQ on fee impact assessment for Collect and Pay system, in-scope operational reform

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of fees to use the Child Maintenance Service's Collect and Pay system on people using that system.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

28 Feb 2025 | Written question Ministry of Justice linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what is the average waiting time for Child Maintenance Service appeal decisions.

Why linked: PQ on CMS appeal decision waiting times, service performance and procedural standards

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what is the average waiting time for Child Maintenance Service appeal decisions.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

18 Apr 2024 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the time taken to assign to an investigator a complaint to the Independent Case Examiner.

Why linked: Parliamentary written question on ICE complaints processing timelines relates to CMS case examination procedures

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the time taken to assign to an investigator a complaint to the Independent Case Examiner.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

16 Apr 2024 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will take steps to ensure that information on how to challenge decisions is available through the Child Maintenance Service portal.

Why linked: PQ on CMS decision-making and appeals process, directly relevant to legislative framework and procedures

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will take steps to ensure that information on how to challenge decisions is available through the Child Maintenance Service portal.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

26 Mar 2024 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Complex Needs Toolkit is used by the Child Maintenance Service.

Why linked: PQ on Complex Needs Toolkit use by CMS, operational procedures and support mechanisms

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Complex Needs Toolkit is used by the Child Maintenance Service.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

26 Mar 2024 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish the best practice guidance provided to Child Maintenance Service caseworkers for (a) complex cases and (b) cases involving domestic abuse.

Why linked: PQ on CMS caseworker guidance and best practice, procedural rules and training standards

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish the best practice guidance provided to Child Maintenance Service caseworkers for (a) complex cases and (b) cases involving domestic abuse.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

26 Mar 2024 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish the training (a) programme and (b) objectives for Child Maintenance Service caseworkers relating to (i) identifying and (ii) supporting victims of domestic abuse.

Why linked: PQ on CMS caseworker training programme, procedural rules and service standards

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish the training (a) programme and (b) objectives for Child Maintenance Service caseworkers relating to (i) identifying and (ii) supporting victims of domestic abuse.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

26 Mar 2024 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what is the (a) average and (b) longest time for a Child Maintenance Service caseworker to be in post before receiving training on supporting families with experience of domestic abuse.

Why linked: PQ on CMS caseworker training timeliness, operational procedures and standards

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what is the (a) average and (b) longest time for a Child Maintenance Service caseworker to be in post before receiving training on supporting families with experience of domestic abuse.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

26 Mar 2024 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that Child Maintenance Service caseworkers use a trauma informed approach to deal with (a) complex cases and (b) cases involving domestic abuse.

Why linked: PQ on trauma-informed approach in CMS casework, operational procedures and service quality

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that Child Maintenance Service caseworkers use a trauma informed approach to deal with (a) complex cases and (b) cases involving domestic abuse.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

25 Mar 2024 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to reduce call waiting times to the child maintenance service; and whether he has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of call handling times by that service.

Why linked: PQ on CMS call waiting times and service performance metrics, in-scope operational reform

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to reduce call waiting times to the child maintenance service; and whether he has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of call handling …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

12 Mar 2024 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has had recent discussions with the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland on trends in the number of children living in households in relative poverty in that region.

Why linked: Parliamentary written question on DWP-DfC discussions regarding CMS trends potentially relevant to policy coordination

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has had recent discussions with the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland on trends in the number of children living in households in relative poverty in that …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

26 Feb 2024 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has plans to review the Child Maintenance Service's treatment of income from foreign assets held by paying parents.

Why linked: Parliamentary written question on CMS policy review regarding foreign asset income treatment—fits scope on CMS operational rules and potential policy reform

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has plans to review the Child Maintenance Service's treatment of income from foreign assets held by paying parents.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

9 Feb 2024 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the (a) shortest, (b) median and (c) longest waiting times for a child maintenance service liability order were in each of the last five years.

Why linked: Written question about CMS liability order waiting times — administrative procedure and performance in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the (a) shortest, (b) median and (c) longest waiting times for a child maintenance service liability order were in each of the last five years.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

12 Jan 2024 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent steps the Child Maintenance Service has taken to help recover arrears in child maintenance payments.

Why linked: Parliamentary written question on CMS arrears recovery procedures—addresses enforcement powers and operational practice within scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent steps the Child Maintenance Service has taken to help recover arrears in child maintenance payments.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

27 Apr 2023 | Committee report linked direct

We welcome the Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Bill and the Child Support (Enforcement) Bill and their aims. We provide information later in this Report on how these pieces of legislation will help improve the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service.

Why linked: Work and Pensions Committee welcome of Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Bill and Child Support (Enforcement) Bill - direct legislative reform commentary

We welcome the Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Bill and the Child Support (Enforcement) Bill and their aims. We provide information later in this Report on how these pieces of legislation will help improve the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance …

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27 Apr 2023 | Committee report linked direct

In summary: Our inquiry has found a number of issues with the Child Maintenance Service that need to be addressed. Receiving parents continue to report great frustration at ineffective and slow enforcement. Paying parents have described distress and being pushed into poverty by the unaffordability of child maintenance payments. This harms the effectiveness of a system with an important role to play in tackling child poverty in separated families. (Paragraph 116) 50 Children in poverty: Child ...

Why linked: Work and Pensions Committee inquiry summary on Child Maintenance Service issues - substantive parliamentary scrutiny of service performance and legislative framework

In summary: Our inquiry has found a number of issues with the Child Maintenance Service that need to be addressed. Receiving parents continue to report great frustration at ineffective and slow enforcement. Paying parents have described distress and being pushed …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

27 Apr 2023 | Committee report linked direct

The Department should seek, as part of any future legislative change in the Child Maintenance Service system, the authority to process partial deductions from Universal Credit for child maintenance arrears.

Why linked: Parliamentary document on legislative change to CMS system regarding Universal Credit deductions—directly addresses statutory reform and legislative mechanism

The Department should seek, as part of any future legislative change in the Child Maintenance Service system, the authority to process partial deductions from Universal Credit for child maintenance arrears. Type: conclusion | Number: 9 | Paragraph: 45 | Response …

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27 Apr 2023 | Committee report linked direct

One of the purposes of the reforms introducing the Child Maintenance Service was to increase the number of effective arrangements between parents. There is a paucity of data on how many Direct Pay arrangements are effective, which in turn obscures the level of child maintenance not being paid. This inhibits the ability of the Department to demonstrate the ability of the system to meet policy objectives. The Department should proactively monitor the effectiveness of Direct Pay arrangements and...

Why linked: Parliamentary evidence on CMS reform effectiveness and data on arrangements between parents

One of the purposes of the reforms introducing the Child Maintenance Service was to increase the number of effective arrangements between parents. There is a paucity of data on how many Direct Pay arrangements are effective, which in turn obscures …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

27 Apr 2023 | Committee report linked direct

The Department’s own assessment to the NAO “that around 50% of fraud referrals to its Financial Investigations Unit are unfounded” indicates that the system is not functioning as it should be, and, as we will return to later, demonstrates how conflict is encouraged. The Department currently requires evidence for referrals to its Financial Investigations Unit “to safeguard against vexatious claims”. An illustrative 46 Children in poverty: Child Maintenance Service list of the evidence required...

Why linked: Parliamentary assessment of CMS fraud referral processes and system effectiveness

The Department’s own assessment to the NAO “that around 50% of fraud referrals to its Financial Investigations Unit are unfounded” indicates that the system is not functioning as it should be, and, as we will return to later, demonstrates how …

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27 Apr 2023 | Committee report linked direct

We thank Dr Samantha Callan for her independent and detailed report on the Child Maintenance Service’s response to domestic abuse and we welcome the broadly positive approach the Government has taken in its response to that review, accepting most of the recommendations. The Government should, in its response to this Report, provide a timetable for the work arising from that review.

Why linked: Dr Samantha Callan independent report on CMS response to domestic abuse, substantive policy review

We thank Dr Samantha Callan for her independent and detailed report on the Child Maintenance Service’s response to domestic abuse and we welcome the broadly positive approach the Government has taken in its response to that review, accepting most of …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

27 Apr 2023 | Committee report linked direct

We strongly support the Child Maintenance Service’s plans to move to having a named caseworker, initially for customers in abusive situations before eventually being rolled out to all customers. The experience of having to recount one’s story multiple times was a particular issue we heard about in our inquiry and the Department’s plans have the potential to improve customer service outcomes substantially. We would welcome data being provided to the Committee quarterly to demonstrate progress ...

Why linked: Parliamentary support for CMS named caseworker reform initiative, policy modernisation

We strongly support the Child Maintenance Service’s plans to move to having a named caseworker, initially for customers in abusive situations before eventually being rolled out to all customers. The experience of having to recount one’s story multiple times was …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

27 Apr 2023 | Committee report linked direct

We acknowledge that staff working for the Child Maintenance Service can have a difficult caseload and come across difficult and distressing situations routinely as part of their work. To ensure that staff are able to support customers, appropriate training and support is essential. The Government should review, within six months of this Report being published, the support and training provided to CMS staff and report its findings to the Committee, alongside the actions it will take in respons...

Why linked: Parliamentary commentary on CMS staff and caseload management, operational reform context

We acknowledge that staff working for the Child Maintenance Service can have a difficult caseload and come across difficult and distressing situations routinely as part of their work. To ensure that staff are able to support customers, appropriate training and …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

27 Apr 2023 | Committee report linked direct

The proportion of families with private arrangements has increased since the 2012 reforms but this has also been accompanied by an increase in the number of families without an arrangement. There is evidence that a significant number of Children in poverty: Child Maintenance Service 47 parents who do not have an arrangement want one. This means some children are avoidably missing out on maintenance which could help reduce child poverty. The Government should also produce an analysis of the re...

Why linked: Parliament briefing on SAYE bonus rates mechanism - rejected as unrelated to CMS legislative framework

The proportion of families with private arrangements has increased since the 2012 reforms but this has also been accompanied by an increase in the number of families without an arrangement. There is evidence that a significant number of Children in …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

27 Apr 2023 | Committee report linked direct

We are concerned about the prospect that the Child Maintenance Service is pursuing arrears inherited from the Child Support Agency that cannot be properly evidenced, although we acknowledge not collecting such arrears would impact the relevant receiving parent. We request that the Department, in its response to this Report, set out what its strategy is for such arrears and investigate the potential to seek alternative ways of dispensing with arrears that are poorly evidenced, to ensure that b...

Why linked: Parliamentary evidence on CMS pursuit of inherited CSA arrears - directly relevant to CMS statutory procedures and administrative issues

We are concerned about the prospect that the Child Maintenance Service is pursuing arrears inherited from the Child Support Agency that cannot be properly evidenced, although we acknowledge not collecting such arrears would impact the relevant receiving parent. We request …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

27 Apr 2023 | Committee report linked direct

We have received evidence critical of the correspondence provided by the Child Maintenance Service. For example, paying parents reported asking for details on how substantial arrears had accrued and receiving no effective information in response. This risks exacerbating hostility by preventing paying parents from having confidence in the debts being pursued. (Paragraph 92) Matters of interest to both receiving and paying parents

Why linked: Parliamentary evidence on CMS correspondence quality and arrears - directly relevant to scrutiny of CMS administration and procedures

We have received evidence critical of the correspondence provided by the Child Maintenance Service. For example, paying parents reported asking for details on how substantial arrears had accrued and receiving no effective information in response. This risks exacerbating hostility by …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

23 Feb 2023 | Committee report linked direct

Correspondence with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State relating to Children in poverty: Child Maintenance Service

Why linked: Correspondence relating to Children in poverty and Child Maintenance Service - ministerial statement on policy issues

Direction: unknown

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

19 Dec 2022 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent steps he has taken to (a) review and (b) improve the accuracy of the decision making process at the Child Maintenance Service.

Why linked: Parliamentary written question on CMS decision-making accuracy and review—addresses operational performance and reform scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent steps he has taken to (a) review and (b) improve the accuracy of the decision making process at the Child Maintenance Service.

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19 Dec 2022 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of decisions by the Child Maintenance Service have been appealed against in each of the last five years; and how many appeals have been successfully upheld at Tribunal.

Why linked: Written question directly about CMS appeal decisions — administrative procedure and statutory rights in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of decisions by the Child Maintenance Service have been appealed against in each of the last five years; and how many appeals have been successfully …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

6 Dec 2022 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how frequently the Child Maintenance Service has used deduction from unlimited partnerships to enforce measures under the 2018 reforms.

Why linked: PQ on CMS use of enforcement powers (deduction from partnerships), statutory mechanisms

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how frequently the Child Maintenance Service has used deduction from unlimited partnerships to enforce measures under the 2018 reforms.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

6 Dec 2022 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how frequently the Child Maintenance Service has used deductions from joint accounts as an enforcement measure under the 2018 reforms.

Why linked: Written question about CMS enforcement powers (joint account deductions) under 2018 regulations — enforcement mechanisms explicitly in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how frequently the Child Maintenance Service has used deductions from joint accounts as an enforcement measure under the 2018 reforms.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

1 Dec 2022 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to publish the (a) Independent Review into the ways the Child Maintenance Service supports survivors of domestic abuse and (b) Government response to the review.

Why linked: PQ on publication of Independent Review on CMS domestic abuse support, substantive policy review

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to publish the (a) Independent Review into the ways the Child Maintenance Service supports survivors of domestic abuse and (b) Government response to the review.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

17 Nov 2022 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what powers the Child Maintenance Service has to (a) enforce or (b) sanction parents in the event that a parent refuses to pay money that they owe.

Why linked: PQ on CMS enforcement and sanction powers, statutory basis and legal mechanisms

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what powers the Child Maintenance Service has to (a) enforce or (b) sanction parents in the event that a parent refuses to pay money that they owe.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

17 Nov 2022 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy to abolish the four per cent collection fee charged to parents receiving regular payments through the Child Maintenance Service.

Why linked: PQ on proposed abolition of CMS collection fee, direct policy reform proposal

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy to abolish the four per cent collection fee charged to parents receiving regular payments through the Child Maintenance Service.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

22 Jun 2022 | Committee report linked direct

The Department is too willing to blame low levels of customer satisfaction on CMS customers being difficult to please, despite its own systemic customer service failings. It is disheartening that customer satisfaction is no better now than it was under the failed CSA and that less than half (46%) of customers report they are satisfied with the service they receive. Given that the CMS scheme was 8 Child Maintenance set-up to replace an agency whose customer service was generally considered to ...

Why linked: Parliamentary scrutiny document on CMS customer service failings and systemic issues directly addresses service delivery and reform

The Department is too willing to blame low levels of customer satisfaction on CMS customers being difficult to please, despite its own systemic customer service failings. It is disheartening that customer satisfaction is no better now than it was under …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

22 Jun 2022 | Committee report linked direct

Despite child maintenance having the highest rate of complaints within the Department, the Department upholds a lower proportion of complaints relating to child 21 Qq 124–125; C&AG’s Report, paras 5, 1.14, 3.10 22 C&AG’s Report, para 3.11 and 3.12 23 Q 125 24 C&AG’s Report, Figure 18, para 3.18 25 C&AG’s Report, paras 3.6 and 3.7 26 Qq 121, 128–129 16 Child Maintenance maintenance (around 1 in 3) than it does for its other service areas.27 It told us that one reason for this is that child mai...

Why linked: Parliamentary scrutiny document on CMS complaints rates and departmental handling directly relevant to legislative framework and administrative procedures

Despite child maintenance having the highest rate of complaints within the Department, the Department upholds a lower proportion of complaints relating to child 21 Qq 124–125; C&AG’s Report, paras 5, 1.14, 3.10 22 C&AG’s Report, para 3.11 and 3.12 23 …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

22 Jun 2022 | Committee report linked direct

The Department told us that it “absolutely” wanted parents who were not receiving maintenance because the other parent was not willing to pay to feel that they can come to the Child Maintenance Service and that it will support them. It explained that, since closing CSA cases at the end of 2018, it had “much more opportunity to focus on things like building awareness and growing the caseload”. As part of this, it told us that it had been providing training to Universal Credit Work Coaches on t...

Why linked: Parliamentary commentary on departmental strategy for CMS effectiveness and user confidence

The Department told us that it “absolutely” wanted parents who were not receiving maintenance because the other parent was not willing to pay to feel that they can come to the Child Maintenance Service and that it will support them. …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

22 Jun 2022 | Committee report linked direct

The Department’s legislation for child maintenance is designed to encourage parents to use Direct Pay first, but around half of Direct Pay arrangements are either not sustained or not effective. The Department told us that it preferred parents using its CMS to have a Direct Pay arrangement as it believed this created a more positive environment for co- parenting. The Department charges fees for its Collect & Pay service to encourage parents to try Direct Pay arrangements first. Under child ma...

Why linked: Parliamentary evidence on Direct Pay arrangements under CMS - legislative framework effectiveness

The Department’s legislation for child maintenance is designed to encourage parents to use Direct Pay first, but around half of Direct Pay arrangements are either not sustained or not effective. The Department told us that it preferred parents using its …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

22 Jun 2022 | Written evidence linked direct

In 2011, the Department announced that it would close the old Child Support Agency (CSA) schemes and introduce the CMS. It decided, based on its analysis, that it would not be value for money to attempt to collect all the unpaid maintenance debt on the CSA schemes. The Department reduced the historic CSA debt relating to unpaid maintenance by £2.6 billion between December 2018 and March 2021 after deciding to largely write it off.64 Gingerbread, in its written evidence to us, told that it reg...

Why linked: Parliamentary written evidence on CMS establishment and closure of old CSA schemes - directly relevant to legislative framework and reform history

In 2011, the Department announced that it would close the old Child Support Agency (CSA) schemes and introduce the CMS. It decided, based on its analysis, that it would not be value for money to attempt to collect all the …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

21 May 2021 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on how many occasions where a parent does not make payments in full and on time has the Child Maintenance Service sought to (a) make a deduction order to take either a lump sum or regular deductions fro

Why linked: Written question on CMS enforcement action and arrears procedures — enforcement remedies in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on how many occasions where a parent does not make payments in full and on time has the Child Maintenance Service sought to (a) make a deduction order to take …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

20 May 2021 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many complaints to the Independent Case Examiner about child maintenance were waiting more than 12 months to be allocated to a case worker for investigation in each year since 2010.

Why linked: Written question on Independent Case Examiner complaints waiting times — directly addresses CMS case examination procedures and service performance in scope

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many complaints to the Independent Case Examiner about child maintenance were waiting more than 12 months to be allocated to a case worker for investigation in each year since …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

20 May 2021 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on how many occasions in respect of the Child Maintenance Service instigating court action for wilful refusal or culpable neglect in paying child maintenance has led to (a) disqualifying the paying pare

Why linked: PQ on CMS court action for enforcement (wilful refusal), enforcement powers and mechanisms

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on how many occasions in respect of the Child Maintenance Service instigating court action for wilful refusal or culpable neglect in paying child maintenance has led to (a) disqualifying the …

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17 May 2021 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many complaints were received by the Child Maintenance Service in (a) 2020 and (b) 2019.

Why linked: Written question on CMS complaints 2019–2020 — administrative procedure and operational performance relevant to legislative framework scrutiny

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many complaints were received by the Child Maintenance Service in (a) 2020 and (b) 2019.

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29 Apr 2021 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans the Child Maintenance Service has to change payment plans to reflect fluctuations to gross weekly income; and if she will make a statement.

Why linked: PQ on CMS payment plan reforms for income fluctuations, operational modernisation

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans the Child Maintenance Service has to change payment plans to reflect fluctuations to gross weekly income; and if she will make a statement.

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29 Apr 2021 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the total value of consolatory payments paid out for poor customer service by the Child Maintenance Service was in the 12 months since 16 March 2020.

Why linked: PQ on CMS consolatory payments for poor service, customer service performance metrics

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the total value of consolatory payments paid out for poor customer service by the Child Maintenance Service was in the 12 months since 16 March 2020.

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29 Apr 2021 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many complaints were received by the Child Maintenance Service in (a) 2020 and (b) 2019.

Why linked: Duplicate of 473284 — same question on CMS complaints

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many complaints were received by the Child Maintenance Service in (a) 2020 and (b) 2019.

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23 Apr 2021 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many complaints the Child Maintenance Service has received relating to problems with unclear communications to service users since 2019.

Why linked: PQ on CMS complaints regarding communication clarity, service quality assessment

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many complaints the Child Maintenance Service has received relating to problems with unclear communications to service users since 2019.

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23 Apr 2021 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Child Maintenance Service in the last 12 months, what proportion of (a) complaints to that Service have resulted in further action and (b) non-resident parents are compliant with t

Why linked: PQ on CMS complaint handling and resolution rates, service performance metrics

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Child Maintenance Service in the last 12 months, what proportion of (a) complaints to that Service have resulted in further action and (b) non-resident parents are …

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23 Apr 2021 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average waiting time was for a response to a complaint made to the Child Maintenance Service in (a) 2019, (b) 2020 and (c) January to April 2021.

Why linked: PQ on CMS complaint response waiting times, service performance standards

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average waiting time was for a response to a complaint made to the Child Maintenance Service in (a) 2019, (b) 2020 and (c) January to April 2021.

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22 Apr 2021 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Child Maintenance Service takes to monitor the efficacy of its communication practices with service users.

Why linked: PQ on CMS communication effectiveness monitoring, service standards and procedures

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Child Maintenance Service takes to monitor the efficacy of its communication practices with service users.

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22 Apr 2021 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of improving the clarity of information in the Child Maintenance Service's written communications to service users.

Why linked: PQ on CMS communication clarity improvements, service quality and reform

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of improving the clarity of information in the Child Maintenance Service's written communications to service users.

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20 Apr 2021 | Written question Department for Work and Pensions linked direct

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she takes to assess the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service; and how frequently she makes that assessment.

Why linked: Parliamentary written question directly addressing CMS effectiveness assessment—fits scope on departmental assessments and service standards

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she takes to assess the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service; and how frequently she makes that assessment.

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