Petition · past parliament · Department for Work and Pensions
Introduce an independent regulator of the Child Maintenance Service
Closed
178 signatures
What the petition asks
The Child Maintenance Service ensures that children are provided for financially by a non-resident parent, where a family-based arrangement cannot be reached by the parents.
Using a range of approaches, some of which result in a 20% surcharge to the NRP, the CMS is able to act without oversight.
Using a range of approaches, some of which result in a 20% surcharge to the NRP, the CMS is able to act without oversight.
The 20% surcharge applied by CMS and the creating of arrears resulting from miscalculations by the CMS has a devastating impact on NRPs, many of whom are struggling to maintain a relationship with their children. This causes additional hardship and contributes, directly or otherwise, to 1,000 suicides a year.
The CMS has little accountability for its actions or the behaviour of its employees and should be subject to independent regulation to protect users of the service.
The CMS has little accountability for its actions or the behaviour of its employees and should be subject to independent regulation to protect users of the service.
Timeline
| 31 Mar 2021 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 30 Sep 2021 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
178
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Work and Pensions
Opened
31 Mar 2021
Closed
30 Sep 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.