A new DWP measure will be introduced which aims to target those who fail to pay child maintenance. It will be in effect from March 2015 in England, Scotland and Wales, if approved by parliament.

Payment records will be shared between the CSA (Child Support Agency), Child Maintenance Service and credit agencies, and the effect of any payment arrears on your credit rating will be equal to that of debt. The information will be shared when a liability order is made – often made only as a last attempt to encourage payment.

A low credit rating may mean that you are unable to take out loans, mortgages, phone contracts, or credit cards.

It is hoped that the measure will be a successful deterrent. Although seen only in a minority of cases, the effect of a parent failing to pay means that families do not receive the financial support that they are entitled to.

Elizabeth Gallagher, head of the family department at Macks covering County Durham, Teesside and North Yorkshire, says that: “There are a minority of cases where a parent who is not the main carer of their children fails to provide proper financial support, despite being chased by the Child Maintenance Service. Steps taken to deter such parents from failing to provide the necessary financial support should be welcomed.”

Source: Family Law Week