House of Lords' Public Services Committee launches inquiry into child maintenance

On 11 March 2025, the House of Lords’ Public Services Committee initiated an inquiry into the Child Maintenance Service (CMS), a move that could have significant implications for families navigating child maintenance arrangements in the UK. This inquiry aims to address several critical issues, including the barriers families face in accessing the CMS, the reasons many families lack maintenance arrangements, and the effectiveness of enforcement measures for CMS assessments.

For clients, this inquiry represents a potential shift in how child maintenance is managed and enforced. The committee is particularly interested in understanding the government support available to separating families and identifying the obstacles that prevent them from accessing this support . This focus could lead to recommendations for enhanced support systems, making it easier for families to establish and maintain child maintenance arrangements.

The inquiry also seeks to evaluate the CMS’s effectiveness in creating fair arrangements and preventing fraud and underpayment . Clients who have experienced difficulties with the CMS, such as underpayment or fraudulent reporting of income by the paying parent, may find that the inquiry’s findings lead to more robust enforcement mechanisms. This could result in more reliable and equitable maintenance payments, reducing financial stress for many families.

Additionally, the committee is examining the interaction between the CMS and other public bodies, such as HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions, to assess how these relationships impact the accuracy of maintenance assessments and contribute to child poverty. Improvements in these areas could lead to more accurate assessments and better support for families in need.

The inquiry is also considering whether legislative changes could improve the child maintenance system. For clients, this could mean potential changes in the law that make it easier to secure and enforce maintenance payments, providing greater financial stability for children and their caregivers.

Clients should be aware that the committee is inviting written evidence from individuals, legal practitioners, and organisations, with submissions due by 23 April 2025. This presents an opportunity for those affected by the current system to voice their experiences and contribute to shaping future policies.

https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/430/public-services-committee/news/205912/call-for-evidence-launched-for-child-maintenance-inquiry/

Jamie Beland