Since the launch of our Fix the CMS report and campaign, Gingerbread has been working hard to make sure that Child Maintenance Service (CMS) reform is a central part of the Government’s plan to tackle child poverty.

We have been working closely with Ian Sollom MP on this issue and as a result, on Wednesday 26 February, he led a 30-minute debate in the House of Commons on the CMS, which highlighted the vital need for CMS reform and aligned with the findings of our report.

Drawing upon the experience of his constituents, Ian outlined many challenges that both receiving and paying parents often face when using the service, including inadequate enforcement, payment loopholes, insufficient safeguards for survivors of domestic abuse, complex procedures and unsatisfactory customer service.

He was supported by Sarah Russell MP, Adam Jogee MP, Jim Shannon MP, Josh Fenton-Glynn MP and Tom Gordon MP who all spoke in the debate and helped to illustrate the compelling case for change.

Ian said:

“The debate represented an important moment for Parliament to shine a spotlight on the urgent need to reform the Child Maintenance Service, with MPs from across the house highlighting the necessity for a system that is fairer, faster, and genuinely focused on the best interests of children and families across the country. I am pleased we were able to challenge the Government on this hugely important issue and will continue to hold them to account to deliver meaningful change.”

Minister Andrew Western MP responded for the Government. He noted ongoing improvements to the service, including a review of the child maintenance calculation and the continued development of their digital offer. He also said that clearer commitments on reform would come when the Government published its response to last year’s consultation on CMS reform.  We also particularly welcomed his comments on the need for the CMS to continue to play “an ever-more effective and increasingly important role in supporting children and tackling child poverty.”

>> Watch the debate

>> Read the transcript

On Thursday 27 February, Gingerbread held a virtual roundtable with CMS Minister Baroness Sherlock. This was an important opportunity for single parents to share their experiences and challenges with the service, alongside their ideas for improvement, directly with the Minister. The key issues raised in the discussion supported the challenges mentioned in the parliamentary debate and further emphasised the need for reform.

Among participants at the roundtable was one of Ian Sollom’s constituents whose story was shared during the Adjournment Debate. She said:

“Having the opportunity to take part in the round table last week, was for me, a way to finally be heard. Having the opportunity to speak about my experiences with both the CSA and CMS these past 18 years, from the let downs, disappointments and failures. It was great to know there were people within CMS at the top they got to hear from a resident parents perspective and know that it is not just an isolated issue with just a few individuals experiencing this. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be heard.”

What’s next?

• Gingerbread will continue to push for the inclusion of CMS reform in the forthcoming Child Poverty Strategy and will continue to engage with parliamentarians on this issue
• We are awaiting the Government’s response to the Child Maintenance: Improving the collection and transfer of payments

What you can do to support us:

• Please email your MP asking them to speak up and support by using parliamentary mechanisms like tabling questions, speaking in debates and writing a letter to the minister.
• If you’ve already emailed your MP, thank you! Your support is invaluable. Please encourage your network to email their MP too – the more people, the better.
• Make sure you’re signed up to our email list to receive updates and ways to get involved, as well as following us on social media.