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Child Maintenance Service: Surrey Heath

Asked by Dr Al PinkertonLiberal DemocratDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled Answered 9 January 2026UIN 101623

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service in ensuring timely case handling and communication with parents in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Andrew Western

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is committed to providing a modern and efficient service for all customers.

Through the Service Modernisation Programme, CMS is expanding digital channels and self-service options, including online tools like Get Help Arranging Child Maintenance and My Child Maintenance Case (MCMC), available 24/7. It has improved communications via SMS, email, and clearer letters, and introduced online messaging for certain processes, with plans to extend this further. By promoting self-service, CMS frees resources for customers who prefer phone support. Recent call routing improvements ensure faster access to case-owning teams.

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