Reform Child Maintenance: Introduce a set weekly rate per child
Replace current income-based percentage system with a standardized set weekly rate per child. We think this would ensure all children receive a fair & consistent amount of support, regardless of their parent’s employment status or career success, while preventing excessive charges on working parents
Signatures
10
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 10/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 10/100,000
- 03 JUN 2026Petition opened for signaturesCreated by Lloyd jee
Background
In our view, the current system is unfair as non-workers or those on benefits often pay a flat rate of just £7 per week, while working parents can be charged extreme amounts—sometimes over £350 per week for the same number of children. We believe that a child’s basic needs do not fluctuate this wildly based on a parent’s salary. We call for a fixed rate that reflects the true cost of raising a child. This could remove the "work penalty," simplify the system, and ensure equal financial value for every child.