Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will issue guidance to the Child Maintenance Service on recognising up to six months of prior payments made by a paying parent to a receiving parent when calculating new payment plans.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) operates through broad rules set out in child support legislation which aim to provide the best overall outcome for all parents who use the CMS. We have to allow for sensible decision-making across a large range of cases.

When a change happens that means the amount of money to be paid rises or falls, until a new maintenance calculation is completed and a replacement payment schedule issued, the Paying Parent is required to continue to make payments in accordance with the existing payment schedule. Once the calculation is finalised, any overpayments or underpayments will be adjusted for in the updated payment schedule.