Petition · Department for Work and Pensions

Reform Child Maintenance calculation: include daytime care and actual costs

Closed 50 signatures

What the petition asks

Reform the CMS calculation so payments reflect real care. Include all childcare time by paying parents, not just overnight stays. Automatically factor in costs related to travel and a child’s disabilities or long-term health conditions, rather than requiring a separate application for variation.
We believe the calculation is outdated and unfair. It focuses mainly on income and overnight stays, ignoring daytime care. Requiring paying parents to apply for variations for travel and additional-needs costs is inconsistent and often inaccessible. This punishes involved parents and creates huge disparities between similar families. Reform is needed so payments reflect real care, shared responsibility, and the true cost of raising children — ensuring fairness and stability for both households.

Timeline

20 Nov 2025 Petition opened for signatures
20 May 2026 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 50
Status Closed
Department Department for Work and Pensions
Opened 20 Nov 2025
Closed 20 May 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 19 Aug 2026.