VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Children: Maintenance

Asked by Charlie DewhirstConservativeDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled Answered 17 June 2025UIN 59246

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what data the Government holds on gender disparities in Child Maintenance Service cases; and what steps she is taking to ensure that the system treats both mothers and fathers equally and without bias.

Answered by Andrew Western

In the quarter ending December 2024, of the 680,000 Paying Parents 93% were male.

The Child Maintenance Service aims to provide a high-quality service to all of its parents. The CMS treats parents equally as individuals based on their roles within the scheme and makes no reference to gender. The Department has a specific duty to assess the impact of proposed policies and services and any changes to them on equality. This ensures the Department meets the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim