Written Question·Department for Work and Pensions·UIN 80059

Children: Maintenance

Tabled: 10 October 2025
Answered: 20 October 2025
Named Day

Question

Samantha Niblett

LabourSouth Derbyshire

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will issue guidance to the Child Maintenance Service on recognising up to six months of prior payments made by a paying parent to a receiving parent when calculating new payment plans.

Answer

Andrew Western
The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) operates through broad rules set out in child support legislation which aim to provide the best overall outcome for all parents who use the CMS. We have to allow for sensible decision-making across a large range of case...

This is an extract from the Parliament API. Search the full answer on Parliament.uk (UIN 80059) →