Petitions/Reform Child Maintenance Service, strengthen processes to protect paying parent
StatusOngoing
Opened6 Feb 2026
Closes
Government response
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones

Reform CMS by calculating maintenance using net income, tax maintenance as income for the receiving parent, allowing reductions for denied contact, mandatory auditable arrears explanations, cease liability at 16, ensure due process before deductions, prosecute false declarations by either parent.

We think the CMS lacks transparency, proportionality and due process and that it operates in favour of the receiving parent. Calculated on gross income, weak due process and opaque enforcement can disproportionately impact paying parents. Unexplained arrears, deductions and reasons can cause financial distress, instability and documented mental health issues. Reform is needed to align with basic tax principles, administrative justice, and accountability, while preventing misuse of the system.

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Constituency engagement ranking

Martin Vickers
1Martin Vickers MP
Brigg and Immingham
9
Mr Lee Dillon
2Mr Lee Dillon MP
Newbury
9
Sam Carling
3Sam Carling MP
North West Cambridgeshire
9
Perran Moon
4Perran Moon MP
Camborne and Redruth
8
Alison Hume
5Alison Hume MP
Scarborough and Whitby
8
Dr Andrew Murrison
6Dr Andrew Murrison MP
South West Wiltshire
7
Lara Bird
7Lara Bird MP
Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
7
Stephanie Peacock
8Stephanie Peacock MP
Barnsley South
6
Jerome Mayhew
9Jerome Mayhew MP
Broadland and Fakenham
6
Callum Anderson
10Callum Anderson MP
Buckingham and Bletchley
6