DWP explains 'enforcement powers' in new update as it looks at changes to CMS 'charges'

DWP explains 'enforcement powers' in new update as it looks at changes to CMS 'charges' The Department for Work and Pensions has this week issued a new update on the Child Maintenance Service The Department for Work and Pensions has explained child maintenance enforcement powers and potential forthcoming changes in a new update. The DWP has faced questions on the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) over parents who have fallen behind on payments, as well as about reforms to the charging structure. The DWP update arrives amid mounting concerns over how effective the UK's child maintenance system actually is - highlighted recently in a BBC Panorama episode. The flagship news programme heard from parents who had spent years chasing former partners for payments. This week, the department issued a response after an MP had pressed officials on what assessment had been made of the CMS's use of its enforcement powers in recovering unpaid child maintenance. The department was also asked what measures were being taken to ensure parents with significant arrears could not dodge payments for lengthy periods without facing meaningful enforcement action. The department was also pressed on its plans to review the Child Maintenance Service enforcement regime and charging structure. On Tuesday, Lilian Greenwood — Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions) — delivered her reply. She said: "The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) operates on the principle that both parents have a financial responsibility towards their children. The Department keeps the operation of the CMS under review, including its charging arrangements and enforcement processes. Collection fees were introduced to encourage compliance and contribute towards the cost of operating the service. "The Government has consulted on reforms that would remove Direct Pay and introduce a revised charging structure, including lower fees (2%) for compliant parents while retaining higher charges (20%) for non-compliance. Alongside these reforms, we are improving support for Family-Based Arrangements so that parents for whom a private arrangement works well can manage maintenance outside the statutory scheme, helping to ensure that fees are only paid by those families who need the CMS's ongoing support. "The CMS has a broad range of enforcement powers, including deductions from earnings and bank accounts, the use of enforcement agents, charging orders, passport and driving licence disqualification, and commitment to prison. In the year ending March 2026, the CMS collected £231 million through enforcement action, the highest amount collected through its enforcement powers. "Where a parent fails to pay, the CMS will take action to re-establish compliance and recover arrears, using the enforcement power most likely to secure money for children. The Government is also introducing Administrative Liability Orders, which will streamline the enforcement process and enable faster action against non-compliant parents. "The Child Maintenance Service takes account of a paying parent's financial position when setting arrears repayment arrangements. Whilst the aim must be to get on-going maintenance payments flowing and to recover arrears as quickly and reliably as possible, consideration is given to individual financial circumstances to ensure repayment rates are appropriate." The government says you can get help from the Child Maintenance Service if the paying parent: misses payments, does not pay in full, or makes payments late. The action taken by the Child Maintenance Service will depend on the paying parent's individual circumstances. The Child Maintenance Service can make deductions directly from their pay, pension or benefits, take money directly from their bank account, and get a court order for payments (called a liability order). The gov.uk website says: "The paying parent will need to pay an extra fee if the Child Maintenance Service uses these actions. "If a court order is granted, the Child Maintenance Service can take further actions such as seizing their property." For more information on getting help over child maintenance if you are owed money, visit the dedicated gov.uk web page on the topic.