Strengthen enforcement of child maintenance for absent parents
Require the Child Maintenance Service by law to take automatic enforcement action after two missed payments, including automatic bank account deductions, travel restrictions for parents with arrears who move abroad, and mandatory review of self-employed income based on assets and lifestyle evidence.
Signatures
24
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 24/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 24/100,000
- 15 MAY 2026Petition opened for signaturesCreated by Katrina Donelan
Background
Too many parents are able to avoid paying child maintenance for extended periods by declaring low self-employed income or moving abroad.
Although enforcement powers exist, they are not applied quickly or consistently, allowing arrears to build and leaving children without the financial support they are entitled to.
A clear legal requirement for automatic enforcement after repeated missed payments could close loopholes, reduce delays, and ensure consistent action is taken to support children.