House of Lords debate:
The Child Maintenance Service
The Government's response
Minister for Work and Pensions Baroness Stedman-Scott responded to the debate on behalf of the Government.
Watch or read her speech for details on topics including:
- The Reducing Parental Conflict Programme
- Plans for an independent review into how the CMS supports victims of domestic abuse, and related developments in training for front-line staff
- The role of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman in the appeals process
- Temporary changes made to the Service during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Public consultations:
The Department for Work and Pensions are seeking views on a number of proposed legislative changes to the CMS.
Find out more and submit evidence via Child Maintenance: modernising and improving our service.
Deadline: 6 August 2021.
The CMS is also currently being audited by the National Audit Office.
Find out more and submit evidence on NAO: Child Maintenance Service.
Deadline: 30 July 2021.
"My sincere thanks to everybody who expended much time and emotional energy in describing their experiences of the Child Maintenance System to inform how it could be improved.
"It has been impossible to do justice to the large number of stories you have shared but they have greatly increased my understanding of the challenges faced by separated parents and their families.
"Please do watch the debate either live or on catch up. The transcript will also be published on this page."
Introducing the debate, he gave the following statement:
"The payment of child support (‘child maintenance’) following divorce or separation is a vital part of ensuring both parents fulfil responsibilities to their children, even if they no longer live (or have ever lived) under the same roof.
"It’s hard to ensure any state-backed system works for everyone, especially in an area of life that can be fraught with sensitivities. At the end of the day, the need for one parent to pay the other often stems from the breakdown of an intimate relationship. Conflict and other relational difficulties often continue after separation.
"Children’s suffering when they are no longer able to live with both their parents is worsened if money is tight because one parent doesn’t contribute adequately.
"Such financial problems are also relationship problems which require different, additional solutions to those focused on the enforcement of maintenance liabilities.
"I am pleased to have the opportunity to discuss options to improve the child maintenance system in the House of Lords."
What is a Question for Short Debate?
Four short debates ('Questions for Short Debate') take place on Thursday every five weeks in Grand Committee, away from the main chamber. Debates are an opportunity for members 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.
House of Lords hybrid proceedings
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Find out more: House of Lords: timeline of response to Covid-19 pandemic.
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