The UK’s Child Maintenance Service (CMS) has long been a particular area of frustration for many separated parents. From missed payments to disputed calculations, the system has often fallen short, especially for those relying on it to provide financial stability for their children. Recently, however, there have been proposed changes that could be fundamental to the service.
MPs have announced a formal inquiry into the CMS, exploring how it functions, where it’s failing and what reforms might be required. For many families across the country, this represents a major shift in how child maintenance is handled.
The inquiry, led by the cross-party Work and Pensions Committee, comes after years of criticism aimed directly at the CMS, with non-payment being regarded as one of the biggest issues. Studies suggest that around two in five parents dependent on CMS payments are not receiving what they’re owed. That level of non-compliance has serious consequences, financially and emotionally, for children and the parents who care for them. In response to these concerns, MPs are asking big questions: Should the CMS move away from private arrangements? Are the payment calculations still fair in today’s economy, and is the system doing enough to support children rather than burdening parents with further regulations?
Discussions to end direct pay
One of the most significant proposals being considered is scrapping Direct Pay, the current system that allows parents to manage payments between themselves. While this works well for some families, it also leaves the door open for non-compliance. If one parent stops paying, the CMS has no automatic power to step in and enforce payment.
Under the proposed changes, Collect and Pay would become the standard. This means the CMS would act as the go-between, collecting money directly from the paying parent, usually via a wage deduction and then transferring it to the receiving parent.
The benefits associated with this system are clear; payments are more likely to arrive on time, and enforcement becomes much simpler. For PAYE workers, regular deductions would provide a more predictable and reliable flow of support. To encourage cooperation, compliant parents would face a relatively small 2% service fee, while those who refuse to pay voluntarily would see a much steeper 20% surcharge. The hope is that this financial stick-and-carrot approach will tackle the widespread issue of unpaid support.
A simpler system, or a loss of flexibility?
For many families, especially those who have struggled to get consistent payments, these changes could come as a relief. The move to a centralised system could minimise delays, reduce admin and increase transparency.
However, not everyone will welcome the proposed changes. Parents who’ve successfully used Direct Pay may feel they’re being punished for doing things right. The new model could also mean less flexibility, something that’s been vital for families managing unique or amicable arrangements. The transition itself could also pose a challenge. Moving thousands of existing cases into a new system is unlikely to be seamless. Errors, delays, or communication breakdowns are almost inevitable.
Even with a more robust payment system, the CMS still struggles to handle complexities. Self-employed parents, company directors, and those with fluctuating or unclear income often fall through the cracks. These cases demand more investigation, added consistency from CMS caseworkers, and more accountability from the system itself, none of which are guaranteed right now.
Beyond payment enforcement, the inquiry is also exploring how maintenance is calculated and whether the current method works for modern families. Currently, CMS payments are based on the paying parent’s gross income and adjusted for how many nights the child stays with them. In theory, this sounds fair. In practice, it can lead to tensions. Some parents may feel pressured to increase overnight stays, not for the sake of the child, but to reduce their financial obligation.
The situation becomes even more contentious in shared care arrangements. Even in true 50/50 care, the CMS may still issue a payment calculation, something many parents see as arbitrary and unfair.
The consultation phase of the inquiry is expected to continue into next year, with final reports due by end in 2025. In the meantime, families should prepare for potential changes, especially those currently relying on Direct Pay.
The proposed reforms could go a long way in solving some of the CMS’s biggest problems; unreliable payments, slow processes, and weak enforcement. The plans are promising but unless the system learns how to better handle complexity and treat each case with consistency and care, many of the same frustrations may continue.
At its core, the Child Maintenance Service exists for one reason: to support children. Any reform must put their well-being above administrative convenience or one-size-fits-all rules. For parents, managing separation, financial hardship, or complex care arrangements, the CMS should be a source of support, not stress. If the inquiry leads to a system that is fairer, faster, and more responsive, it will be a step in the right direction. Until then, families should stay informed, engage with the inquiry where possible, and continue pushing for a system that truly reflects the needs of modern parenting, and the children at the heart of it.
