Business of the House

Tessa Munt Excerpts

Thursday 22nd October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I join my hon. Friend in congratulating all those behind the Southport Music Board and the Southport Creatives collective on their work, as well as everyone involved in making local arts events a success. The Government are very much committed to supporting local communities in this regard. I encourage him to apply for a Westminster Hall debate so that he can make his point in more detail for his constituents to hear, which would be a cause for greater pride in their fantastic community.

[Tessa Munt (Wells and Mendip Hills) (LD)]

My constituent is owed more than £29,000 in child maintenance arrears, which the Child Maintenance Service has decided to write off even though the ombudsman ruled that the money was owed. The service says that recovery is too difficult and that historical failures by its predecessor, the Child Support Agency, cannot be retrospectively reviewed. This affects children, directly and cumulatively, and indicates a lamentable lack of care and compassion for young people. Will the Leader of the House urge the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to undertake a full review and reform of the performance of the Child Maintenance Service so that this does not keep happening?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The Government recognise that parents’ experiences of the Child Maintenance Service do not meet the standards that should be expected. There are sometimes difficult issues to address, but the expected standards are simply not being met, and that is why we have committed to reforming the system. I will ensure that the relevant Minister has heard what the hon. Lady has said today.