Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to implement an income change threshold for triggering a maintenance recalculation for Child Maintenance Services from 25% to 15%.

The Department has conducted a review of the child maintenance calculation. This was focussed on ensuring the calculation strikes the right balance between both parents to encourage willing and able compliance, with the aim of securing more money for children.

Following the review, we plan to take forward a set of changes to reflect a renewed commitment to ensuring that the child maintenance system delivers for the families who rely on it most. One of those changes includes reducing the income tolerance from 25% to 15%. The calculation is reviewed annually, and currently it can be amended outside of that annual review when a paying parent’s income changes by at least 25%. The proposed change will mean that changes in income are captured quicker and assessments remain fair for both parents.

The Department is currently developing the necessary changes and will set out implementation arrangements in due course; Timings will depend on the necessary legislative changes and delivery planning.