{"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/776942.json"},"data":{"type":"petition","id":776942,"attributes":{"action":"Make paternity tests compulsory before paying child maintenance","background":"Legislate to require paternity tests to be taken before a father makes child maintenance payments.","additional_details":"We believe that fathers find themselves in a precarious situation when they are compelled to pay child maintenance for a child whose paternity they are uncertain of. There are also countless mothers who are denied the financial support they deserve for their child because the issue of paternity remains contested.\r\n \r\nThis can lead to confusion, unfair financial responsibilities, emotional distress for all parties involved, and children missing out on vital support.","committee_note":"","state":"open","signature_count":28,"closing_date":"2027-02-18","created_at":"2026-07-13T15:35:44.683Z","updated_at":"2026-08-21T01:54:10.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2026-08-18T09:16:23.797Z","closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2026-07-14T11:01:50.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":null,"government_response_at":null,"debate_threshold_reached_at":null,"debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":"Kelly breeze","rejection":null,"government_response":null,"debate":null,"departments":[{"acronym":"DWP","name":"Department for Work and Pensions","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions"}],"topics":[],"signatures_by_country":[{"name":"Canada","code":"CA","signature_count":1},{"name":"United Kingdom","code":"GB","signature_count":27}],"signatures_by_constituency":[{"name":"Ashfield","ons_code":"E14001068","mp":"Lee Anderson MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Birmingham Yardley","ons_code":"E14001100","mp":"Jess Phillips MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Bolton West","ons_code":"E14001112","mp":"Phil Brickell MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Brent West","ons_code":"E14001123","mp":"Barry Gardiner MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Brentwood and Ongar","ons_code":"E14001125","mp":"Alex Burghart MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Bridgwater","ons_code":"E14001126","mp":"Sir Ashley Fox MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Burnley","ons_code":"E14001142","mp":"Oliver Ryan MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Chester South and Eddisbury","ons_code":"E14001164","mp":"Aphra Brandreth MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Croydon East","ons_code":"E14001186","mp":"Natasha Irons MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Croydon West","ons_code":"E14001188","mp":"Sarah Jones MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"East Wiltshire","ons_code":"E14001217","mp":"Danny Kruger MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Ellesmere Port and Bromborough","ons_code":"E14001222","mp":"Justin Madders MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Esher and Walton","ons_code":"E14001230","mp":"Monica Harding MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Gedling","ons_code":"E14001245","mp":"Michael Payne MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Kingswinford and South Staffordshire","ons_code":"E14001316","mp":"Mike Wood MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Leeds North West","ons_code":"E14001322","mp":"Katie White MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Nottingham East","ons_code":"E14001410","mp":"Nadia Whittome MP","signature_count":4},{"name":"Nottingham North and Kimberley","ons_code":"E14001411","mp":"Rt Hon Alex Norris MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Reading Central","ons_code":"E14001438","mp":"Matt Rodda MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Scunthorpe","ons_code":"E14001462","mp":"Sir Nicholas Dakin MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Sittingbourne and Sheppey","ons_code":"E14001474","mp":"Kevin McKenna MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Watford","ons_code":"E14001568","mp":"Matt Turmaine MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Yeovil","ons_code":"E14001603","mp":"Adam Dance MP","signature_count":1}],"signatures_by_region":[{"name":"North West","ons_code":"B","signature_count":4},{"name":"Yorkshire and The Humber","ons_code":"D","signature_count":2},{"name":"East Midlands","ons_code":"E","signature_count":7},{"name":"West Midlands","ons_code":"F","signature_count":2},{"name":"East of England","ons_code":"G","signature_count":2},{"name":"London","ons_code":"H","signature_count":3},{"name":"South East","ons_code":"J","signature_count":3},{"name":"South West","ons_code":"K","signature_count":3}],"other_parliamentary_business":[]}}}