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Closed Public Inquiry into the Child Maintenance Service

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We are concerned that incorrect assessments and inflation of amounts owed by paying parents, combined with excessive use of enforcement action, has caused significant distress to many paying parents, leading in some cases to catastrophic consequences. We want a Public Inquiry to investigate this.

We want the Government to launch a Public Inquiry to investigate how Child Maintenance Service maintenance assessments have been conducted, the validity of the £3.8 billion of arrears, the enforcement action taken by the Child Maintenance Service to collect arrears, and the impact this has had on paying parents.

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  • Petition closed

  • 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 published

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    This petition will stay open until 9 April 2024.