Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how the Child Maintenance Service (a) identifies and (b) responds to parents who perpetuate coercive control by (i) failing to pay, (ii) partly paying and (iii) irregularly paying the child maintenance they owe.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is committed to ensuring victims of domestic abuse get the support they need to use the service. All caseworkers have received specific training on domestic abuse so they can quickly identify and provide appropriate support to victims.

Customers using the Direct Pay service are advised to contact CMS if their arrangement breaks down so that they may move to the Collect & Pay service. Where a parent fails to pay on time or in full, the CMS will take action to re-establish compliance and collect any unpaid amounts that have accrued. Where compliance cannot be achieved, the CMS has a range of strong enforcement powers that are designed to get money flowing quickly, prevent the build-up of arrears and ensure children get the financial support they deserve.