National Audit Office questioned on effectiveness of the Child Maintenance System
1 November 2022
The Work and Pensions Committee questions the National Audit Office on how effectively the current Child Maintenance System (CMS) ensures that parents and children are provided with sufficient resources. The NAO published a report on Child Maintenance in March 2022.
- Watch Parliament TV: Children in poverty: Child Maintenance Service
- Inquiry: Children in poverty: Child Maintenance Service
- Work and Pensions Committee
Witnesses
Wednesday 2 November, Committee Room 5, Palace of Westminster
At 9.15am
- Joshua Reddaway, Director: Work and Pensions Value for Money, National Audit Office
MPs are expected to ask whether the DWP should more actively monitor compliance with pay arrangements, amidst NAO estimates that arrears in maintenance payments may reach £1 billion by 2031. The Committee may also discuss whether the DWP’s current solution, which includes writing off debts, will help lift children out of poverty.
This third session of the Children in poverty: Child Maintenance Service inquiry may also cover reports that vulnerable and low-income families are less likely to have child maintenance agreements in place. The Committee may also discuss evidence it has received reporting that the CMS service can be extremely distressing for parents.
Further information
Image: CCO