Agency failures cost families thousands in support.

Parents in England, Scotland, and Wales are experiencing significant distress due to failures by the Child Maintenance Service (CMS). Reports indicate mothers struggling with nearly £10,000 in arrears as ex-partners fail to pay, leading to reliance on food banks and skipped meals. Fathers are also impacted by administrative errors and stress, with one case detailing an incorrect charge for a child not his own.

The CMS, responsible for arranging financial support for approximately four million children from separated parents, faces criticism for its effectiveness. Despite the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) stating the service successfully arranges payments in most cases, a substantial number of parents report issues. In the first three months of 2026, nearly 61,000 Collect and Pay cases saw no payments, affecting 86,000 children.

Cases highlight systemic problems, such as significant delays in pursuing liability orders and difficulties in tracing paying parents. One mother, Katy, has waited years for arrears, with the CMS citing issues confirming her ex-partner's address. Another, Susan, reported a lack of warrant officers to enforce payment for over £10,000 owed.

Fathers also express frustration. Gerry, for example, faced prolonged stress and anxiety due to administrative errors, including the incorrect addition of a child to his account, leading to financial strain and tribunal victories that still resulted in complex refund processes. The DWP plans to reform the CMS by moving all parents to Collect and Pay, aiming to improve outcomes.