Calculate Child Maintenance From Net Income, Not Gross Income — 7 signatures. Status: rejected.
Require child maintenance to be calculated using the paying parent's net income after Income Tax and National Insurance, rather than gross income, so assessments reflect the money actually available to the parent and create a fairer, more sustainable system.
Child maintenance should reflect a parent's genuine ability to pay. Gross income includes money that is immediately deducted through Income Tax and National Insurance and is therefore not available as take-home income. We believe calculating maintenance from net income would provide a fairer and more realistic assessment, reduce financial hardship and arrears, and create a more sustainable system while continuing to ensure children receive appropriate financial support.
View this petition on the official UK Parliament website