Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what private sector companies the Child Maintenance Service has contracted to implement enforcement proceedings; what the value of each contract is; whether funds paid by parents are paid to such companies; and what accountability mechanisms are in place.

DWP holds a number of contracts to support Child Maintenance Service enforcement proceedings.

• Qualco UK Ltd – Managed Enforcement Agency Services – contract award forecast value £686,750.

• Shakespeare Martineau LLP - Orders for Sale Litigation Services – contract award forecast value £566,171.

• A further contract is in place for Arrest Warrant Services for the Child Maintenance Service, details of which are due to be published by 5 February 2025.

• Harper MacLeod LLP – Scottish Legal Services – contract award forecast value £4,982,547. Contract held by Office for Advocate General and accessed by DWP for services.

The suppliers collect funds on behalf of the Child Maintenance Service with the exception of contract for Scottish Legal Services which is in place to enable CMS to recover debt under Scottish Law. All contracts are based on government contracting and industry good practice to support the delivery of services for DWP. This includes meeting standards and regularly reviewed performance alongside compliance against relevant legislation.