Children: Maintenance
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Child Maintenance Service plans to pause (a) enforcement and (b) judicial review while recalculations are made.
Answered by Andrew Western
The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) enforcement powers are designed to get money flowing quickly, prevent the build-up of arrears and ensure children get the financial support they deserve. There are already some exceptional circumstances where enforcement action may be placed on hold pending the outcome of an appeal/review. In general, whilst a case is under review the CMS continue to encourage paying parents to pay their maintenance on time, to avoid accrual of arrears. Where parents fail to take responsibility for paying for their children, the CMS can use the range of enforcement powers available. The CMS is committed to using these powers fairly and in the best interests of children and separated families.
A judicial review is generally raised by a parent against CMS. Where this happens any action on the case would be reviewed and decisions made on a case-by-case basis regarding whether they should continue.
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