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Closed Calculate child maintenance based on actual child expenses

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CMS calculate weekly payments to the parent where the child resides using a percentage of the gross income minus pension contributions. CMS does not monitor that the funds are allocated towards the child's needs rather than the receiving parent's, nor are calculations based on invoiced expenses.

The Government needs to change the current outdated process where a percentage is taken from the payer's income and blindly given to a recipient. It can lead to misallocation of funds destined to the children and the funds being used for the receiving parent's personal leisure. The amount paid should be calculated according to recorded expenses, covering 50% of the child's expenses, providing that invoices are supplied (i.e clothes, food, bills, school, etc...).

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  • Related activity

    MPs debate the Child Maintenance Service

    MPs debated the Child Maintenance Service on Tuesday 27 February.

    The debate was led by Sir Stephen Timms MP. He discussed a report published in April 2023 by the Work and Pensions Select Committee, following its inquiry into the Child Maintenance Service. The report included recommendations on how child maintenance is calculated and how money is paid.

    The Work and Pensions Minister, Paul Maynard MP, responded on behalf of the Government.

    The debate was scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee.

    What is a Westminster Hall debate?

    Westminster Hall is the second chamber of the House of Commons. Westminster Hall debates give MPs an opportunity to raise local and national issues and receive a response from a government minister. Westminster Hall debates are general debates that do not end in a vote.

    Interactive explainer: Westminster Hall debates

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  • Petition closed

  • Related activity

    Share your experiences of the Child Maintenance Service

    On Thursday 24 June, Lord Farmer will lead a debate on Child Maintenance Service reform in the House of Lords.

    To inform the debate, Lord Farmer wants to hear about your experiences of the Child Maintenance Service. He may quote your contribution directly during his debate, so please don’t share anything you wouldn’t want to be made public.

    Find out more and share your experiences with Lord Farmer here: https://houseofcommons.shorthandstories.com/child-maintenance-service-/index.html

    Videos of the debate, which is known as a Question for Short Debate (QSD), the transcript and other relevant material will be accessible shortly after the debate on this webpage.

    The deadline for contributions is 12noon on Wednesday 23 June.

    Please note: this debate is separate from any work the Petitions Committee may do on this petition. For more information on how petitions work, visit: https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/sign-a-petition/e-petitions/

    What is a Question for Short Debate?

    Four short debates ('Questions for Short Debate') take place on Thursday every five weeks in Grand Committee of the House of Lords, away from the main Chamber. These debates are an opportunity for members of the House of Lords to discuss important current issues and draw the Government’s attention to concerns. A Government Minister or spokesperson responds at the end to the issues raised in the debate.

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 15 December 2021.