Petition · past parliament · Department for Work and Pensions
Non-payment of child maintenance a criminal offence with custodial penalties
Closed
835 signatures
What the petition asks
To make non-payment of child maintenance a criminal offence, with custodial penalties for offenders.
We believe current rules for non-payment of child maintenance do not hold non-paying parents fully responsible for their actions.
I believe that the Child Maintenance Service are failing parents who are not receiving the child maintenance they are due. Non-paying parents owe millions of pounds.
If a receiving parent can't afford to provide for their child they could face charges of neglect. Non-paying parents should face criminal penalties for failing to support their child, as this is also neglecting the child.
By making non-payment a criminal offence the police could take action against non-paying parents, hopefully helping ensure child maintenance is paid.
I believe that the Child Maintenance Service are failing parents who are not receiving the child maintenance they are due. Non-paying parents owe millions of pounds.
If a receiving parent can't afford to provide for their child they could face charges of neglect. Non-paying parents should face criminal penalties for failing to support their child, as this is also neglecting the child.
By making non-payment a criminal offence the police could take action against non-paying parents, hopefully helping ensure child maintenance is paid.
Timeline
| 20 Mar 2023 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 20 Sep 2023 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
835
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Work and Pensions
Opened
20 Mar 2023
Closed
20 Sep 2023
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.