PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(28 August 2026)

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many parents in receipt of Universal Credit received child maintenance at the latest date for which figures are available; how many such parents were (a) in employment and (b) not in employment; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by:
Rebecca Smith (Conservative)

The information requested is not readily available.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) does not routinely collect or record information on whether a receiving parent is in receipt of Universal Credit or their employment status. While the Department holds information relating to Universal Credit and child maintenance separately, identifying the number of parents in receipt of Universal Credit who received child maintenance, and then further breaking this down by employment status, would require the matching and interrogation of records across different departmental systems.

The information could therefore only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

The Government recognises the important role that child maintenance plays in supporting children and families. Child maintenance payments are fully disregarded in Universal Credit calculations, ensuring that children benefit from the maintenance intended for them.

Answered by:
()