Thousands of primary caregivers across the UK are being failed by a child maintenance system that is outdated, unbalanced, and unjust. Many are left to carry the full emotional and financial burden of raising children while non-resident parents contribute as little as £7 a week—a figure that doesn’t come close to reflecting the true cost of childcare.

This minimum payment, often made by parents who claim low income yet maintain lavish lifestyles, is a glaring loophole that undermines children’s welfare. The Child Poverty Action Group estimates that the cost of raising a child for a single parent exceeds £70,000, excluding housing and childcare. Meanwhile, over £440 million in unpaid child maintenance remains uncollected, according to Parliament’s Work and Pensions Committee.

The current system only assesses income, ignoring spending habits, hidden earnings, and luxury expenses. It’s time for change. A reformed system must:

Consider both income and lifestyle spending
Update minimum payments in line with the cost of living
Ensure accountability, even for those receiving benefits
Put children’s needs above system loopholes

This isn’t just about fairness for caregivers—it’s about justice for children.

Sign the petition and demand a child maintenance system that truly supports the people it was built to protect.

The unbalanced nature of the current child maintenance rules is not just affecting me, but countless other primary caretakers who rely on these payments to provide for their children. It is fundamentally unfair that the system only considers a parent's income while disregarding their spending habits and personal expenses. The current £7 a week minimum is an abomination and a direct disservice to those who bear the brunt of childcare and financial responsibility.

Our child maintenance system needs an urgent overhaul. It should assess not only the paying parent's income but also their expenditures, including luxury and leisure expenses. This revision should extend to parents receiving benefits, leveling the playing field for all. It's vital that the system ensures child welfare takes precedence over personal luxuries.

We need a revised system that genuinely reflects the cost of raising a child and the additional expenses for the parent who primarily provides care. By setting realistic minimum payments and incorporating expenses into assessments, we will create a fairer foundation benefiting the child's upbringing.

Please join me in calling for this crucial change to child maintenance calculations. Let's work together toward a system that truly reflects the financial needs of children and respects the responsibilities of their primary caregivers. Sign this petition to make a difference today.