Petitions/Make paternity tests compulsory before paying child maintenance
StatusOngoing
Opened18 Aug 2026
Closes
Government response
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones

Legislate to require paternity tests to be taken before a father makes child maintenance payments.

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. This can lead to confusion, unfair financial responsibilities, emotional distress for all parties involved, and children missing out on vital support.

10,000
100,000

Constituency engagement ranking

Nadia Whittome
1Nadia Whittome MP
Nottingham East
4
Lee Anderson
2Lee Anderson MP
Ashfield
1
Jess Phillips
3Jess Phillips MP
Birmingham Yardley
1
Phil Brickell
4Phil Brickell MP
Bolton West
1
Tom Hayes
5Tom Hayes MP
Bournemouth East
1
Barry Gardiner
6Barry Gardiner MP
Brent West
1
Alex Burghart
7Alex Burghart MP
Brentwood and Ongar
1
Sir Ashley Fox
8Sir Ashley Fox MP
Bridgwater
1
Oliver Ryan
9Oliver Ryan MP
Burnley
1
Aphra Brandreth
10Aphra Brandreth MP
Chester South and Eddisbury
1