I, as a concerned parent and advocate for the well-being of children, am deeply troubled by the current state of child maintenance services. The system is failing countless families across our nation, leaving many single parents struggling to provide for their children while the other parent evades their financial responsibilities.

Personal Story:
This petition is personal to me because my ex-partner owes over £1300 in child maintenance arrears. Despite the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) implementing attachments to earnings, I have only received one payment so far. It is disheartening to witness my ex living a life of luxury while I struggle daily to meet the needs of our three children.

Child maintenance payments are crucial in ensuring that every child has access to basic necessities such as food, clothing, education, and healthcare. However, it is distressing that many non-paying parents continue to evade their obligations without facing significant consequences.

Current Issues:
1. Inadequate Power: The CMS lacks sufficient authority and power when it comes to enforcing child maintenance payments from non-compliant parents.
2. Arrears and Missed Payments: The current system allows arrears and multiple missed payments without taking swift action or imposing appropriate penalties.
3. Flawed Calculation Methods: The methodology used by CMS in determining owed amounts often fails to accurately reflect the true financial responsibility of non-paying parents.
4. Self-Employed Individuals: There is a loophole that allows self-employed individuals to avoid paying child maintenance regularly since deductions cannot be made directly from their income source.

Proposed Solutions:
1. Enhanced Authority: Grant greater powers and authority to CMS so they can effectively enforce child maintenance orders through quicker court orders.
2. Zero Tolerance Policy on Arrears & Missed Payments: Implement strict penalties for those who accumulate arrears or miss payments, ensuring that the best interests of the child are prioritized.
3. Fair Calculation Methods: Revise and improve the formula used to calculate child maintenance payments, taking into account both parents' income and financial obligations.
4. Deductions from Tax Returns: Enable CMS to deduct owed amounts directly from self-employed individuals' tax returns, closing the loophole that allows them to evade their responsibilities.

Supporting Facts:
1. According to a study conducted by Gingerbread (2019), over 90% of single parents reported difficulties in receiving full child maintenance payments.
2. The National Audit Office (NAO) reported in 2020 that CMS was only able to collect 67% of the total amount due for children entitled to receive maintenance.

By signing this petition, we urge policymakers and relevant authorities to take immediate action towards reforming child maintenance services. Our children deserve better than a system that allows non-paying parents to escape their financial responsibilities while leaving struggling families behind.

Together, let us ensure timely and fair child maintenance payments for all children in need!

[Sarah palmer]
[56 jubileegrove sleaford]
[Lincs NG34 8BE]
[David-palmer5@sky.com]