A significant overhaul of the UK’s child maintenance system could see many parents receive less money from their former partners. Starting in 2027, new reforms could impact how payments are calculated and collected, affecting hundreds of thousands of families.
The reforms aim to streamline the system but could result in financial strain for some parents, especially those relying on the no-fee direct-pay option. With a substantial number of parents using the Child Maintenance Service (CMS), the changes will reshape how child support is handled.
Major Changes on the Horizon for Child Maintenance
According to reports, the UK government is introducing changes that will require all parents to use the CMS’s “collect and pay” service by 2027. Currently, parents can choose between the no-fee direct-pay method or the collect and pay system, which comes with significant charges.
Under the new rules, the service fee will be reduced to 2% for both the paying and receiving parents, down from the current 20% fee for paying parents and 4% for receiving parents.
The CMS manages payments made by non-residential parents to cover the daily costs of raising children, a vital support system for separated families. These adjustments could be especially impactful for the 440,000 parents currently using the no-fee direct-pay method, which would be replaced by a system that involves fees for both parties.
The CMS calculates child maintenance based on various factors, including the paying parent’s income, the number of children involved, and the frequency of visits.
These changes could affect not just the amount of money exchanged but also the way in which it is administered, with more parents likely to be affected by the compulsory use of the CMS’s collect and pay service.
The Implications for Parents and Child Support
The reform is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to improve the child maintenance system, but the move has already raised concerns. While the CMS will no longer charge a high 20% fee to the paying parent, the implementation of a 2% charge for both parties is seen by some as a potential burden, particularly for lower-income families.
Further complicating the situation, the shift may lead to delays in payment processing and the imposition of additional administrative steps for parents. Those who have found the flexibility of direct-pay beneficial may feel the compulsory switch to a government-managed service is an unwelcome disruption to their child support arrangements.
With over 440,000 families using the CMS’s no-fee direct-pay method, these reforms could mark a significant shift in how child maintenance is managed.
While the new system aims for efficiency, its success will depend on whether it can balance fairness for both paying and receiving parents while ensuring that children continue to receive the financial support they need.
