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<p>The new statutory child maintenance scheme (“the 2012 Scheme” - administered by
the Child Maintenance Service) has a number of key features designed to ensure that
non-resident parents meet their financial responsibilities to their children. <br></p><p>For
example, the 2012 Scheme uses tax data taken directly from Her Majesty’s Revenue and
Customs, addressing challenges around ensuring that the child maintenance calculation
is based on accurate earnings information. The scheme also enables swifter identification
and follow-up of those non-resident parents who fail to pay their child maintenance.
<br></p><p>Where non-resident parents fail to meet their liabilities, there are a
range of enforcement powers; for example, child maintenance can be taken directly
from bank accounts and wages; non-resident parents are subject to charges for any
enforcement action taken against them; and the Government has also introduced a new
power to disclose non-compliance to credit reference agencies.</p><p> </p><p>Note:</p><p>
</p><p>The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for the Child Maintenance
Service in Great Britain, in Northern Ireland Child Maintenance is administered by
the Department for Social Development.</p>
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