Child Maintenance Errors Affect Families: £20,000 Taken Incorrectly

Published on 5/15/2026

Child Maintenance Errors Affect Families: £20,000 Taken Incorrectly

AI Summary

Maths teacher John Hammond experienced a £20,000 deduction from his bank account due to errors from the Child Maintenance Service (CMS). This incident is part of a larger issue where over 30 parents reported similar miscalculations, involving wages and bank accounts. The CMS, established in 2012, is responsible for calculating child support payments but faced criticism from parents over incorrect payments and inadequate responses to their disputes. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) did not provide explanations for these errors, indicating an ongoing concern regarding the agency's practices.