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Closed Calculate child maintenance based on net rather than gross pay

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I think the current child support system is unfair to working parents. I would like the Government to change the system so that payments are calculated based on net take-home pay rather than the current gross pay.

Some struggle to make maintenance payments. The calculation for payment is done before tax and national insurance are deducted, so does not reflect the money they actually receive. I'm concerned this could push parents into financial struggle and poverty.

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  • Petition closed

  • Related activity

    Child Maintenance: Share your experiences for an inquiry

    The House of Lords Public Services Committee are holding an inquiry into Child Maintenance.

    To inform their inquiry, they would like to hear about your experiences of:

    • establishing child maintenance arrangements
    • the performance of the Child Maintenance Service (CMS)
    • the enforcement of arrangements.

    Share your experiences by Wednesday 23 April 2025

    What happens next?

    Your responses will inform the Committee’s understanding and work on this issue.

    At the end of the inquiry, it will publish a report with recommendations for the Government.

    The Department for Work and Pensions must then respond to the report.

    What is the House of Lords Public Services Committee?

    The Committee is a group of Members of the House of Lords from different political parties. It considers public services, including health and education.

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  • 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 8 May 2025.