Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will take steps to review the minimum reduction in the level of income that is required to trigger a review of a parent's child maintenance payments.

When a parent’s income has changed by at least 25%, their calculation can be updated. The 25% income change tolerance was set to offer a stable maintenance liability, to provide greater certainty to both parents, whilst also remaining fair in dealing with unexpected and major changes in circumstances; and, to set the threshold at a level which supports operational efficiency.

The Department is conducting a review of the child maintenance calculation, and the 25% income change tolerance falls within the scope of this review.