As someone who has spent the past 16 to 17 years trying to secure correct child maintenance payments from my child’s father, I am faced with a system that repeatedly fails to provide the necessary support it promises. My personal struggle highlights a much larger issue, resulting in accrued arrears of £15,000, with the Child Maintenance Service seemingly unable to enforce payment.

The Child Maintenance Service has a duty to ensure that non-residential parents contribute to their children's upbringing financially. However, systematic failures leave countless families struggling to secure the financial support they need. According to a report by the National Audit Office, as of March 2020, total unpaid child maintenance arrears in the UK were £399 million (source: National Audit Office).

I am not alone in my struggle; several parents face similar situations, and this petition is a call to reform an inefficient system. We ask for the UK Government to ensure the Child Maintenance Service fulfills its duties correctly. Improved efficiency in their routines can ensure reliable and punctual payments for thousands of families needing support.

Ultimately, it’s not about the money owed, but about making sure our children grow up secure and supported. Please sign this petition and help us put pressure on the UK Government to bring about necessary reforms in the Child Maintenance Service.