Economy· August 17, 2026 at 12:27 p.m.
Child Maintenance Agency Struggles Leave Parents Turning to Food Banks
Key takeaways
- Parents struggling with child maintenance payments are turning to food banks
- Thousands of pounds in unpaid child maintenance have caused hardship for some families
- Child Maintenance Service acknowledges past issues and is working to improve
Parents in the UK have shared their struggles with the Child Maintenance Service (CMS), a government agency responsible for securing financial support for children after separation or divorce. These parents claim that the CMS is pushing them to the brink of financial ruin, leading some to rely on food banks.
According to BBC Panorama's investigation, numerous parents have reported delays in receiving child maintenance payments, with some owed thousands of pounds for months or even years. These delays have caused significant hardship, forcing families to cut back on essentials and seek assistance from food banks.
One parent interviewed by BBC Panorama owes £10,000 in unpaid child maintenance and has resorted to using food banks to feed her children. She expressed frustration with the CMS, stating that she has been unable to secure a meeting with a caseworker despite numerous attempts.
The Child Maintenance Service states that it is working hard to improve its service and reduce delays in payment. A spokesperson for the agency acknowledged that there have been issues in the past but emphasized that they are now focusing on resolving these problems.
In the meantime, the government has pledged to review the CMS's operations and make improvements to ensure that children receive the financial support they are entitled to.
