Petition · Department for Education

Review Child Maintenance Service to disincentivise parents withholding custody

Closed 66 signatures

What the petition asks

We think the Child Maintenance Service should be reviewed and reformed to prevent situations where a parent refuses to allow 50/50 etc custody of a child because they will lose payments.
There are many parents trying to have their children more, but we think the system doesn't have strong enough safeguards in place to protect possible manipulation by the other parent. I just want all parents to be held accountable for their behaviour.

Timeline

16 Sep 2025 Petition opened for signatures
16 Mar 2026 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 66
Status Closed
Department Department for Education
Opened 16 Sep 2025
Closed 16 Mar 2026

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 17 Aug 2026.