Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on what date he expects to commence the administrative liability order provisions under sections 32M and 32N of the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023; and what statutory mechanism currently provides authority for the creation of liability orders by the Child Maintenance Service pending their commencement.

Our intention remains to introduce the necessary legislation for Administrative Liability Order’s (ALOs) as soon as possible. We are working closely with HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and with the Scottish Government to ensure that when commenced, ALOs can operate effectively across Great Britain.

In the meantime, the Child Maintenance Service have agreed with HMCTS directly to increase the capacity for bulk hearings across all centralised courts to secure Liability orders under provisions in the Child Support 1991 Act and associated regulations, which provide the current statutory basis for enforcement action.