Work and Pensions Minister Maria Miller promised a new child maintenance system that was "fairer for children" as she announced proposals to remove the exemption from maintenance liability for some part-time public servants.

 

Part-time fire-fighters, service personnel, local councillors, auxiliary coastguards and lifeboat crew members amongst others, currently don't have to pay child maintenance on their earnings from their work.

 

The complexity of the current (2003) statutory child maintenance scheme and the shortcomings of its IT system made including the earnings from these workers too cumbersome and prohibitively expensive. Regulations currently out for consultation would remove these special exemptions.

 

The Government’s reforms to the child maintenance system are designed to encourage and support parents to make collaborative family-based arrangements wherever possible.

 

For those unable to make their own arrangements there will be a new, more efficient and effective statutory maintenance service with a brand new computer system.