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Written Question
Children: Maintenance
Thursday 23rd October 2025

Asked by: Steff Aquarone (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the child maintenance service provides (a) oversight and (b) review mechanisms to help ensure (i) consistency and (ii) accountability in the application of caseworker discretion to arrears repayment schedules.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) adheres to the DWP Quality Framework, which deploys a three-line defence model for all decisions affecting the calculation and payment of maintenance.

The Debt Steer provides a policy-based framework for arrears negotiation. Its purpose is to ensure arrears are collected as promptly and reliably as possible, taking into account all relevant circumstances and financial situation.

Operational instructions and the Child Maintenance Decision Makers’ Guide are the tools used by caseworkers in applying a discretionary decision to negotiate an arrangement that extends beyond a two-year period, to ensure a reliable and sustainable plan for the payment of arrears by the paying parent in the shortest possible period of time. When the CMS makes a discretionary decision, caseworkers must consider the welfare of any child affected by that decision.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 22 Oct 2025
Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund

"Scientists at the Norwich research park and Quadram Institute are doing incredible work in the field of agri-science, which could transform the future of food for the better; in fact, the Quadram Institute will be visiting Parliament and briefing MPs during evidence week next month about this work. This research …..."
Steff Aquarone - View Speech

View all Steff Aquarone (LD - North Norfolk) contributions to the debate on: Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund
Written Question
Care Homes: Closures
Wednesday 22nd October 2025

Asked by: Steff Aquarone (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help prevent the closure of convalescence facilities in Norfolk.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

It is important that there are adequate services and facilities to support people to recover after a hospital stay. We expect local authorities to ensure that a diverse range of high-quality services are available, working with their NHS integrated care board. Our vision for a Neighbourhood Health Service shifts care from hospital to communities, so that services are delivered as close to people’s homes as possible.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 21 Oct 2025
Oral Answers to Questions

"I refer the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests: I am a serving Norfolk county councillor.

It is two years since the Conservatives in Norfolk oversaw the closure of two convalescence facilities: Benjamin Court in Cromer and Grays Fair Court in Costessey, in the constituency …..."
Steff Aquarone - View Speech

View all Steff Aquarone (LD - North Norfolk) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Division Vote (Commons)
21 Oct 2025 - Sentencing Bill - View Vote Context
Steff Aquarone (LD) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 64 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 167 Noes - 313
Division Vote (Commons)
21 Oct 2025 - Sentencing Bill - View Vote Context
Steff Aquarone (LD) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 63 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 105 Noes - 381
Division Vote (Commons)
21 Oct 2025 - Sentencing Bill - View Vote Context
Steff Aquarone (LD) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 65 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 182 Noes - 307
Division Vote (Commons)
21 Oct 2025 - Sentencing Bill - View Vote Context
Steff Aquarone (LD) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 63 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 389 Noes - 102
Division Vote (Commons)
21 Oct 2025 - Sentencing Bill - View Vote Context
Steff Aquarone (LD) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 63 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 77 Noes - 390
Division Vote (Commons)
20 Oct 2025 - Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill - View Vote Context
Steff Aquarone (LD) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 64 Liberal Democrat Aye votes vs 0 Liberal Democrat No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 174 Noes - 321