Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she has to improve the Child Maintenance Service's procedural safeguards within paternity disputes.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Parentage disputes can be raised at any point in the life cycle of a child maintenance case.
If parentage is disputed before the initial maintenance calculation is made, the CMS will need to decide whether an assumption of parentage can be made. The circumstances on which the CMS can make an assumption about parentage are prescribed in legislation, such as the paying parent being registered as the father on the child’s birth certificate. If none of the assumption grounds apply, then a maintenance calculation cannot be made until the parentage dispute is resolved. If parentage cannot be assumed, all parties will be invited to take a DNA test.
If parentage is disputed after the initial maintenance calculation is made, including instances where the maintenance is collected via wage deductions, the CMS will decide whether there is conclusive evidence to confirm that the paying parent is not the parent of the child in question. Conclusive evidence is either a DNA test result from an approved tester or a court declaration of parentage or non-parentage.
Where a DNA test is requested by the paying parent, the cost is paid by the paying parent. If the DNA test shows that they are not the parent, they will no longer be liable for child maintenance payments and will receive a refund for the cost of the DNA test. The CMS will also consider an application for a refund of any maintenance paid to date.
The DWP keeps all policies under review. Whenever the DWP does announce an intention to make significant policy changes then the Department will invite views and perspectives – including those of paying parents - through a process of consultation.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of child maintenance deductions before paternity was disproven on the finances of men who were subsequently shown to have been wrongly identified as fathers.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Parentage disputes can be raised at any point in the life cycle of a child maintenance case.
If parentage is disputed before the initial maintenance calculation is made, the CMS will need to decide whether an assumption of parentage can be made. The circumstances on which the CMS can make an assumption about parentage are prescribed in legislation, such as the paying parent being registered as the father on the child’s birth certificate. If none of the assumption grounds apply, then a maintenance calculation cannot be made until the parentage dispute is resolved. If parentage cannot be assumed, all parties will be invited to take a DNA test.
If parentage is disputed after the initial maintenance calculation is made, including instances where the maintenance is collected via wage deductions, the CMS will decide whether there is conclusive evidence to confirm that the paying parent is not the parent of the child in question. Conclusive evidence is either a DNA test result from an approved tester or a court declaration of parentage or non-parentage.
Where a DNA test is requested by the paying parent, the cost is paid by the paying parent. If the DNA test shows that they are not the parent, they will no longer be liable for child maintenance payments and will receive a refund for the cost of the DNA test. The CMS will also consider an application for a refund of any maintenance paid to date.
The DWP keeps all policies under review. Whenever the DWP does announce an intention to make significant policy changes then the Department will invite views and perspectives – including those of paying parents - through a process of consultation.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to make paternity DNA testing mandatory in all disputed child maintenance cases before deductions begin.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Parentage disputes can be raised at any point in the life cycle of a child maintenance case.
If parentage is disputed before the initial maintenance calculation is made, the CMS will need to decide whether an assumption of parentage can be made. The circumstances on which the CMS can make an assumption about parentage are prescribed in legislation, such as the paying parent being registered as the father on the child’s birth certificate. If none of the assumption grounds apply, then a maintenance calculation cannot be made until the parentage dispute is resolved. If parentage cannot be assumed, all parties will be invited to take a DNA test.
If parentage is disputed after the initial maintenance calculation is made, including instances where the maintenance is collected via wage deductions, the CMS will decide whether there is conclusive evidence to confirm that the paying parent is not the parent of the child in question. Conclusive evidence is either a DNA test result from an approved tester or a court declaration of parentage or non-parentage.
Where a DNA test is requested by the paying parent, the cost is paid by the paying parent. If the DNA test shows that they are not the parent, they will no longer be liable for child maintenance payments and will receive a refund for the cost of the DNA test. The CMS will also consider an application for a refund of any maintenance paid to date.
The DWP keeps all policies under review. Whenever the DWP does announce an intention to make significant policy changes then the Department will invite views and perspectives – including those of paying parents - through a process of consultation.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she has to review the child maintenance service policy to ensure there are no wage deductions before paternity is (a) legally and (b) biologically confirmed.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Parentage disputes can be raised at any point in the life cycle of a child maintenance case.
If parentage is disputed before the initial maintenance calculation is made, the CMS will need to decide whether an assumption of parentage can be made. The circumstances on which the CMS can make an assumption about parentage are prescribed in legislation, such as the paying parent being registered as the father on the child’s birth certificate. If none of the assumption grounds apply, then a maintenance calculation cannot be made until the parentage dispute is resolved. If parentage cannot be assumed, all parties will be invited to take a DNA test.
If parentage is disputed after the initial maintenance calculation is made, including instances where the maintenance is collected via wage deductions, the CMS will decide whether there is conclusive evidence to confirm that the paying parent is not the parent of the child in question. Conclusive evidence is either a DNA test result from an approved tester or a court declaration of parentage or non-parentage.
Where a DNA test is requested by the paying parent, the cost is paid by the paying parent. If the DNA test shows that they are not the parent, they will no longer be liable for child maintenance payments and will receive a refund for the cost of the DNA test. The CMS will also consider an application for a refund of any maintenance paid to date.
The DWP keeps all policies under review. Whenever the DWP does announce an intention to make significant policy changes then the Department will invite views and perspectives – including those of paying parents - through a process of consultation.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has undertaken a recent review of the Child Maintenance Service's approach to paternity disputes.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Parentage disputes can be raised at any point in the life cycle of a child maintenance case.
If parentage is disputed before the initial maintenance calculation is made, the CMS will need to decide whether an assumption of parentage can be made. The circumstances on which the CMS can make an assumption about parentage are prescribed in legislation, such as the paying parent being registered as the father on the child’s birth certificate. If none of the assumption grounds apply, then a maintenance calculation cannot be made until the parentage dispute is resolved. If parentage cannot be assumed, all parties will be invited to take a DNA test.
If parentage is disputed after the initial maintenance calculation is made, including instances where the maintenance is collected via wage deductions, the CMS will decide whether there is conclusive evidence to confirm that the paying parent is not the parent of the child in question. Conclusive evidence is either a DNA test result from an approved tester or a court declaration of parentage or non-parentage.
Where a DNA test is requested by the paying parent, the cost is paid by the paying parent. If the DNA test shows that they are not the parent, they will no longer be liable for child maintenance payments and will receive a refund for the cost of the DNA test. The CMS will also consider an application for a refund of any maintenance paid to date.
The DWP keeps all policies under review. Whenever the DWP does announce an intention to make significant policy changes then the Department will invite views and perspectives – including those of paying parents - through a process of consultation.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to provide financial support to families with disabled children.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department understands that families with disabled children face additional costs and needs and pays close attention to the evidence base on extra costs faced by disabled people. People who are caring for disabled or ill children can apply for several benefits including Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Carers Allowance (CA) and Universal Credit (UC).
DLA is a tax-free contribution, worth up to £187.45 a week, to help meet the extra costs that arise from a disability or long-term health condition. DLA can passport to a range of additional support such as the Motability Scheme and child disability additions within income related benefits. DLA has been consistently uprated in line with inflation and is forecast to provide over £5 billion of financial support in 2025-26.
CA provides a measure of financial support and recognition for unpaid carers who are unable to work full time due to their caring responsibilities. The DWP provides over £4 billion of financial support through CA to unpaid carers, including those caring for disabled children.
The Disabled Child Addition in UC, worth up to £495.87 per month, is intended to provide extra support to low-income families with a disabled child. Carers on a low income who provide unpaid care for at least 35 hours per week for a severely disabled person can get an additional Carer Element of £201.86 per month as part of their UC award.
Families are urged to check they are getting the support they are entitled to, which can also include help with transport, aids and appliances, prescription charges and council tax costs. Further information on what is available can be found online at: Disabled people - GOV.UK.
At present, children with continuing entitlement to benefit transition from DLA to the adult benefit, Personal Independence Payment, at age 16. The Pathways to Work Green Paper, published in March, proposed that the age of transition should in future be raised from 16 to 18. The current consultation on this proposal will be open until 30 June.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the level of support available for families with disabled children.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department understands that families with disabled children face additional costs and needs and pays close attention to the evidence base on extra costs faced by disabled people. People who are caring for disabled or ill children can apply for several benefits including Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Carers Allowance (CA) and Universal Credit (UC).
DLA is a tax-free contribution, worth up to £187.45 a week, to help meet the extra costs that arise from a disability or long-term health condition. DLA can passport to a range of additional support such as the Motability Scheme and child disability additions within income related benefits. DLA has been consistently uprated in line with inflation and is forecast to provide over £5 billion of financial support in 2025-26.
CA provides a measure of financial support and recognition for unpaid carers who are unable to work full time due to their caring responsibilities. The DWP provides over £4 billion of financial support through CA to unpaid carers, including those caring for disabled children.
The Disabled Child Addition in UC, worth up to £495.87 per month, is intended to provide extra support to low-income families with a disabled child. Carers on a low income who provide unpaid care for at least 35 hours per week for a severely disabled person can get an additional Carer Element of £201.86 per month as part of their UC award.
Families are urged to check they are getting the support they are entitled to, which can also include help with transport, aids and appliances, prescription charges and council tax costs. Further information on what is available can be found online at: Disabled people - GOV.UK.
At present, children with continuing entitlement to benefit transition from DLA to the adult benefit, Personal Independence Payment, at age 16. The Pathways to Work Green Paper, published in March, proposed that the age of transition should in future be raised from 16 to 18. The current consultation on this proposal will be open until 30 June.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of PIP reforms on support for carers receiving carer's allowance.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
We have committed to introduce a new requirement that, in addition to the existing eligibility criteria, claimants must score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity to be eligible for the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment. Our intention is that – subject to parliamentary approval – the changes will apply to new claims and award reviews from November 2026.
This government is committed to supporting carers, who do one of the most valuable jobs in society, unpaid. As the Green Paper sets out, we are consulting on the support needed for those who may lose any entitlements as a result of not receiving PIP daily living and what this support could look like. We will also work closely with the DHSC and others on how the health and eligible care needs of those who would lose entitlement to PIP could be met outside the benefits system.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the new four point rule for daily living on households where there are more than one claimant who will no longer qualify.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
No assessment has been made. The Department does not hold data on the number of other people living in the households of individual Personal Independence Payment claimants.
Information on the proportion of households that receive multiple Personal Independence Payment awards can be found in the answer to PQ 48279 here Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.
Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper has been published here ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’(opens in a new tab).
After taking account of behavioural changes, OBR predicts that 370,000 people who will be receiving PIP at the point of implementation of the four point requirement in November 2026, will have lost their PIP Daily Living entitlement by 2029/30. Of all PIP recipients at the point of implementation, 9 in 10 will not lose PIP during the subsequent 3 years from this change.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure workplaces are accessible for people with (a) multiple medical conditions and (b) less visible disabilities.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
This Government is committed to improving the access to and retention of disabled people and those with health conditions in the workplace.
To this end, as part of Get Britain Working, the Keep Britain Working review being undertaken by Sir Charlie Mayfield is considering what more employers and government can do to enable employers to recruit and retain people with health conditions and disabilities and promote healthy and inclusive workplaces.
The Pathways to Work paper builds on this by consulting on enhancements to support for workplace adjustments. Earlier this year, we also launched an independent panel of academics with expertise and experiences of neurodiversity to advise us on boosting neurodiversity awareness and inclusion at work.
In the meantime, we continue to run a digital information service which provided tailored guidance for businesses to support employees to remain in work and to oversee the Disability Confident Scheme which encourages employers to create inclusive and accessible workplaces.