Written questions

Children: Maintenance

Commons · Question 89338 · Tabled 10 Nov 2025 · Department for Work and Pensions · Official record

Answered 18 Nov 2025

Question

Asked by Ben Maguire

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen enforcement against non-resident parents who repeatedly fail to meet their child maintenance payment obligations.

Answer

Answered by Andrew Western, 18 Nov 2025

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is estimated to keep around 120,000 children out of poverty each year. CMS acknowledges the significant impact that missed or partial child maintenance payments can have on both children and resident parents. Changes ha...