Question follow-through · 27724
Children: Maintenance
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what action can be taken by his Department where there is evidence that a self-employed parent has deliberately understated their income to reduce their child maintenance liability.
About this written question
A written question asks a government minister for information in writing. Parliament publishes the question and any answer.
- Answering body
- Department for Work and Pensions
- Tabled
- 7 Sept 2026
- Target answer date
- 9 Sept 2026
- Answer
- 15 Sept 2026 · 8 calendar days after tabling
Elapsed calendar days describe the record timeline, not whether Parliament considers an answer on time.
Recorded timeline
7 Sept 2026
Question tabled
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what action can be taken by his Department where there is evidence that a self-employed parent has deliberately understated their income to reduce their child maintenance liability.
9 Sept 2026
Target answer date
Date supplied by the official written-questions record.
15 Sept 2026
Answer published
People who are self-employed are required to keep accurate records of their business income and expenses for tax purposes. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) can charge penalties for inaccurate reporting where it results in tax being unpaid. Information about ...
Official data retrieved 1 Oct 2026.
Later records
Possible follow-up questions
Strong links require the same MP, department and exact heading. Other same-department questions are shown as unreviewed candidates, not as confirmed follow-ups. No debate link is asserted unless a stable source relationship exists.
Children: Maintenance
14 Sept 2026 · To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the rationale is for the proposed abolition of Direct Pay arrangements within the Child Maintenance Service.
Children: Maintenance
14 Sept 2026 · To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of charging receiving parents for the collection of child maintenance on the financial support received by children.
Children: Maintenance
14 Sept 2026 · To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what alternative approaches to reforming Direct Pay have been considered, and how his Department will ensure that children do not lose out financially as a result of any changes.