Strengthen child maintenance enforcement powers and increase payment rates

40
signatures
openDepartment for Work and Pensionsby Kayleigh WoolleyOpened 2 June 2026

Background

The Government really needs to strengthen the law relating to the enforcement of child maintenance payments towards the cost of raising a child. Especially SEN children as this comes with additional costs. Also, to re calculate the amounts, as we think the £7 a week flat rate is outdated and poor.

Additional details

The Child Maintenance Service is supposed to be a solid security/network for enforcing the law on financial contributions/responsibilities towards children. Yet this is often not the case and many families/children are being failed by this service. The law has to change, and the amounts need re calculating. The law on enforcement needs serious attention and change, as do the amounts that are presented as adequate to raise a child - £7 a week as a flat rate amount is not remotely acceptable.

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Source: UK Government & Parliament Petitions service. Petition ID: 768646.