Crewe and Nantwich MP, Dr Kieran Mullan, has secured a crackdown on parents not paying child maintenance - coming into effect later this year.

The Government will bring forward plans for home curfew orders on child maintenance debtors – preventing them from going out socialising while their child goes without essentials.

Dr Mullan says that he has been working on this issue behind the scenes for over a year. He believes this crackdown would help single parent families with the cost of living.

Research from the University of York has shown that giving the maintenance to children living in single parent households, who should be receiving the payment but aren't - would lift 60% out of poverty.

Mullan stated: "One of the things I have learned as an MP is sometimes just quietly raising something behind-the-scenes again and again and again can get things done. No flash social media campaigns are needed.

"Coming down hard on parents who don't pay for their child has been one of these issues. We simply aren't doing enough to make people pay. And if they don't pay, taxpayers will be helping families make up the difference.

"I have convinced the Government to move forward with plans for home curfew for non-payers after plans for this were shelved several years ago.

"The bottom line is – if you don't pay for your children then don't expect to be out socialising and enjoying life.

"I will now push for these measures to be developed as soon as possible and for them to be as tough as possible.

"I know some parents struggle with securing access to see their children – this is not acceptable, and I support parents who want to exercise their legal right of access.

"If you have children, you should pay to look after them if you can. End of story."

The change in government policy was announced by Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Theresa Coffey in response to a question to Kieran in the House of Commons this week.

Kieran asked, "One thing that would help single-parent families with the cost of living is receiving child maintenance.

"In fact, research by York University has found that securin child maintenance payments would lift 60% of children living in single-parent households that currently are not receiving them out of poverty.

"We have made good progress, but I think we can do more, for example by using home curfew to penalise non-payers. What plans does the Department have to move forward with home curfew?"

Responding to Kieran, the Secretary of State said, "I agree with my honourable friend that we should be doing and want to do more on child maintenance. There are a number of reasons why sometimes parents are not so keen on that process.

"However, that specific power was created in primary legislation, and it is my intention later this year to bring the curfew order into effect. I will be working carefully across Government to make sure that we get the appropriate consultation and clearance for regulations."

The Secretary of State later commented, "I congratulate Kieran for his campaigning on child maintenance and the importance of curfew orders where parents are not paying what they owe.

"As I told Kieran in the House of Commons this week, I will work to bring the curfew orders into effect later this year and look forward to working further with him and my colleagues in Government to ensure single parents continue to get the help they need from the Child Maintenance Service."

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