Research and analysis

Tables with text descriptions

Published 4 June 2026

Figure 2.2 - relationship between parents

Measure	Parent type	Always or Most of the time	Some of the time	Rarely	Never	Prefer not to say	Don’t know
Is your children’s other parent helpful to you in raising your children? (%)	RP	5	7	16	70	1	<1
Is your children’s other parent helpful to you in raising your children? (%)	PP	21	12	14	43	3	8
Can you talk to your children’s other parent about problems with the children? (%)	RP	11	10	16	61	1	1
Can you talk to your children’s other parent about problems with the children? (%)	PP	21	13	15	47	1	3
Do you and the other parent agree on basic issues around raising your children? (%)	RP	11	9	13	53	3	10
Do you and the other parent agree on basic issues around raising your children?(%)	PP	19	14	15	41	2	9
Is your children’s other parent a good parent? (%)	RP	11	16	16	49	4	3
Is your children’s other parent a good parent? (%)	PP	36	19	11	12	7	16
Do you feel friendly towards the other parent? (%)	RP	11	15	18	45	5	5
Do you feel friendly towards the other parent? (%)	PP	24	17	16	32	5	6
Do you feel hostile toward the other parent? (%)	RP	27	25	17	20	6	5
Do you feel hostile toward the other parent? (%)	PP	21	19	16	34	5	4

Text description

This figure shows how often receiving parents (RP) and paying parents (PP) report different aspects of their relationship with the child(ren)’s other parent. Responses are shown as percentages for each frequency category.

Helpfulness in raising the child(ren)

For receiving parents, 5% said the other parent was always helpful, 7% most of the time, 16% rarely and 70% never. Around 1% preferred not to say or didn’t know.

For paying parents, 21% said always, 12% most of the time, 14% rarely and 43% never, with 3% preferring not to say and 8% not knowing.

Ability to talk about problems with the child(ren)

Among receiving parents, 11% said they can always talk to the other parent, 10% most of the time, 16% rarely and 61% never. 1% preferred not to say and 1% don’t know
Among paying parents, 21% said always, 13% most of the time, 15% rarely and 47% never. Around 1% select prefer not to say and 3% don’t know.

Agreement on basic issues around raising the child(ren)

Receiving parents report 11% always agreeing, 9% most of the time, 13% rarely and 53% never. 3% preferred not to say and 10% didn’t know.
Paying parents report 19% always, 14% most of the time, 15% rarely and 41% never. 2% preferred not to say and 9% don’t know.

Whether the other parent is a good parent

For receiving parents, 11% said the other parent is always a good parent, 16% most of the time, 16% rarely and 49% never. 4% preferred not to say and 3% don’t know.
For paying parents, 36% said always, 19% most of the time, 11% rarely and 12% never. 7% preferred not to say. Up to 16% of paying parents select don’t know for this measure.

Feeling friendly towards the other parent

Among receiving parents, 11% said they always feel friendly, 15% most of the time, 18% rarely and 45% never. 5% preferred not to say and 5% don’t know.
Among paying parents, 24% said always, 17% most of the time, 16% rarely and 32% never. Around 5% select prefer not to say and 6% don’t know.

Feeling hostile towards the other parent

Receiving parents report feeling hostile always at 27%, most of the time at 25%, rarely at 17% and never at 20%. Around 6% preferred not to say and 5% don’t know.
Paying parents report 21% always, 19% most of the time, 16% rarely and 34% never.
Around 5% select prefer not to say and 4% don’t know.

Figure 2.3 - average parental acrimony score

Award rate	Average parental acrimony score - RP	Average parental acrimony score - PP
Nil award	21.4	17.4
Flat	25.8	18.3
Reduced	23.9	20.1
Basic	22.7	19.4
Basic plus	22.1	19.5
Overall	23.4	19.4

Text description

This table shows the average parental acrimony score for receiving parents (RP) and paying parents (PP), broken by award type. Note that 30 is the maximum score for acrimony, and 6 is the minimum score.

For parents with a nil award, the average acrimony score is 21.4 for receiving parents and 17.4 for paying parents.

For those on a flat award, the average score is 25.8 for receiving parents and 18.3 for paying parents.

For parents receiving a reduced award, the average acrimony score is 23.9 for receiving parents and 20.1 for paying parents.

For those on a basic award, the average score is 22.7 for receiving parents and 19.4 for paying parents.

For parents on a basic plus award, the average acrimony score is 22.1 for receiving parents and 19.5 for paying parents.

Overall, across all award types, the average acrimony score is 23.4 for receiving parents and 19.4 for paying parents.

Figure 2.4 - average parental acrimony score by shared care nights per week

Number of shared care nights per week	Average parental acrimony score by shared care nights - RP	Average parental acrimony score by shared care nights - PP
1 night per week	20.9	18.5
2 nights per week	20.0	17.9
3 nights per week	17.1	18.7
Equal nights per week	21.6	20.6
No shared care	24.9	19.4

Text description

This table shows the average parental acrimony score for receiving parents (RP) and paying parents (PP), by the number of shared care nights per week.  Note that 30 is the maximum score for acrimony, and 6 is the minimum score.

For parents with one shared care night per week, the average acrimony score is 20.9 for receiving parents and 18.5 for paying parents.

For those with 2 shared care nights per week, the average score is 20.0 for receiving parents and 17.9 for paying parents.

For parents with 3 shared care nights per week, the average acrimony score is 17.1 for receiving parents and 18.7 for paying parents.

For parents with equal shared care nights per week, the average score is 21.6 for receiving parents and 20.6 for paying parents.

For parents with no shared care, the average acrimony score is 24.9 for receiving parents and 19.4 for paying parents.

Figure 2.5 - proportion of parents by rate that selected “we haven’t spoken for more than a year”

Award Rate	Proportion of parents by rate that selected “we haven’t spoken for more than a year” - RP	Proportion of parents by rate that selected “we haven’t spoken for more than a year” - PP
Flat (%)	62	56
Reduced (%)	50	50
Basic (%)	43	38
Basic plus (%)	35	39

Text description

This table shows the percentage of receiving parents (RP) and paying parents (PP) who report that they have not spoken with the other parent for more than a year, by rate type.

For parents on a flat rate, 62% of receiving parents and 56% of paying parents report that they had not spoken to the other parent for more than a year.

The proportions for those on a reduced rate is 50% for receiving parents and 50% for paying parents.

For parents on a basic rate, 43% of receiving parents and 38% of paying parents report no contact for more than a year.

For parents on a basic plus rate, 35% of receiving parents and 39% of paying parents report that they had not spoken to the other parent for more than a year.

Figure 2.6 - average parental acrimony score by frequency of communication between parents

Frequency of Communication	Average parental acrimony score by frequency of communication between parents - RP	Average parental acrimony score by frequency of communication between parents - PP
Daily	14.8	12.1
Weekly	18.2	15.3
Monthly	20.3	17.0
Only a few times per year	23.9	20.2
Once a year	27.1	21.7
We haven’t spoken for more than a year	27.1	24.0
Don’t know	22.9	20.8

Text description

This table shows the average parental acrimony score for receiving parents (RP) and paying parents (PP), by how often parents communicate with each other. 30 is the maximum score for acrimony, 6 is the minimum score.

For parents who communicate daily, the average acrimony score is 14.8 for receiving parents and 12.1 for paying parents.

For those who communicate weekly, the average score is 18.2 for receiving parents and 15.3 for paying parents.

For parents who communicate monthly, the average acrimony score is 20.3 for receiving parents and 17.0 for paying parents.

For parents who communicate only a few times per year, the average score is 23.9 for receiving parents and 20.2 for paying parents.

For parents who communicate once a year, the average acrimony score is 27.1 for receiving parents and 21.7 for paying parents.

For parents who report not having spoken for more than a year, the average acrimony score is 27.1 for receiving parents and 24.0 for paying parents.

For those who selected ‘don’t know’ for frequency of communication, the average score is 22.9 for receiving parents and 20.8 for paying parents.

Figure 2.9 - perceptions that child maintenance (CM) payments in relation to the paying parent’s income were “very unfair” + “unfair” by rate

Award Rate	Perceptions that CM payments in relation to the paying parent’s income were “very unfair” + “unfair” by rate - RP	Perceptions that CM payments in relation to the paying parent’s income were “very unfair” + “unfair” by rate - PP
Nil award (%)	76	48
Flat (%)	80	40
Reduced (%)	75	62
Basic (%)	58	79
Basic plus (%)	44	84

Text description

This table shows values labelled as average parental acrimony score, presented as percentages, for receiving parents (RP) and paying parents (PP), by award type.

For parents with a nil award, the value is 76% for receiving parents and 48% for paying parents.

For parents on a flat award, the value is 80% for receiving parents and 40% for paying parents.

For parents on a reduced award, the value is 75% for receiving parents and 62% for paying parents.

For parents on a basic award, the value is 58% for receiving parents and 79% for paying parents.

For parents on a basic plus award, the value is 44% for receiving parents and 84% for paying parents.

Figure 2.10 - perceptions that CM payments in relation to the paying parent’s income were “very unfair” + “unfair” by levels of shared care provided by the paying parent

Level of shared care provided by paying parent	Perceptions that CM payments in relation to the paying parent’s income were “very unfair” + “unfair” by levels of shared care provided by the paying parent - RP	Perceptions that CM payments in relation to the paying parent’s income were “very unfair” + “unfair” by levels of shared care provided by the paying parent - PP
1 night per week (%)	66	64
2 nights per week (%)	58	70
3 nights per week (%)	58	76
Equal nights per week (%)	46	85
No shared care (%)	79	85

Text description

This table shows the percentage of receiving parents (RP) and paying parents (PP) who report that CM payments, in relation to the paying parent’s income, were “very unfair” or “unfair”, by the level of shared care provided by the paying parent.

For parents where the paying parent provides one shared care night per week, 66% of receiving parents and 64% of paying parents report that payments were very unfair or unfair.

Where the paying parent provides 2 shared care nights per week, the proportion is 58% for receiving parents and 70% for paying parents.

For 3 shared care nights per week, 58% of receiving parents and 76% of paying parents report that payments were very unfair or unfair.

Where care is shared equally across nights per week, 46% of receiving parents and 85% of paying parents report that payments were very unfair or unfair.

The proportions for cases with no shared care is 79% for receiving parents and 85% for paying parents.

Figure 2.11 - perceptions that CM payments in relation to the paying parent’s income were “very unfair” + “unfair” by parental acrimony score

Parental acrimony score	Perceptions that CM payments in relation to the paying parent’s income were “very unfair” + “unfair” by parental acrimony score - RP	Perceptions that CM payments in relation to the paying parent’s income were “very unfair” + “unfair” by parental acrimony score - PP
6 - 10 (%)	34	46
11 - 15 (%)	31	59
16 - 20 (%)	52	69
21 - 25 (%)	67	79
26 - 30 (%)	73	76

Text description

This table shows the percentage of receiving parents (RP) and paying parents (PP) who report that CM payments, in relation to the paying parent’s income, were “very unfair” or “unfair”, by bands of parental acrimony score.

For parents with a parental acrimony score of 6 to 10, 34% of receiving parents and 46% of paying parents reported that payments were very unfair or unfair.

For those with a score of 11 to 15, 31% of receiving parents and 59% of paying parents reported that payments were “very unfair” or “unfair”.

Among parents with a score of 16 to 20, 52% of receiving parents and 69% of paying parents reported that payments were very unfair or unfair.

For parents with a score of 21 to 25, 67% of receiving parents and 79% of paying parents reported that maintenance payments were “very unfair” or “unfair”.

For those with a parental acrimony score of 26 to 30, 73% of receiving parents and 76% of paying parents reported that payments were very unfair or unfair.

Figure 2.12 - reasons why receiving parents felt the calculation was unfair to paying parents

Reasons why receiving parents felt the calculation was unfair to paying parents	Percentage
I think they earn more than they say they do	68%
They can afford to and should pay more	63%
Their income increased since the payment was calculated, this is not considered	26%
Their income varies a lot, and this is not taken into account	22%
The amount doesn’t reflect how much they contribute to care	15%
The calculation is unclear or difficult to understand	11%
The amount leaves the non-resident parent with too little to live on	5%
Payments are infrequent / never paid	5%
They provide other support (e.g. clothes, food, activities), but isn’t accounted for	1%
Some other reason (specify)	12%
Prefer not to say	1%
Don’t know	2%

Text description

This figure shows the percentage of receiving parents who gave different reasons for feeling that the CM calculation was unfair to paying parents. Respondents could select more than one reason.

The most commonly cited reason was “I think they earn more than they say they do”, selected by 68% of receiving parents.

This was followed by “They can afford to and should pay more”, selected by 63%.

Just over a quarter, 26%, said that the paying parent’s income increased since the payment was calculated and this is not considered.

Around one in five, 22%, said that the paying parent’s income varies a lot and this is not taken into account.

15% said the amount does not reflect how much the paying parent contributes to care.

11% said that the calculation is unclear or difficult to understand.

5% said that the amount leaves the non‑resident parent with too little to live on, and 5% also say that payments are infrequent or never paid.

1% said that “They provide other support such as clothes, food or activities, but this is not accounted for”.

12% said some other reason, 1% said prefer not to say, and 2% said don’t know.

Figure 2.13 - reasons why paying parents felt the calculation was unfair

Reasons why paying parents felt the calculation was unfair to paying parents	Percentage
It leaves me with too little money to get by	67%
It leaves me with too little money to save for the future	60%
I provide other support (e.g. clothes, food, activities), but this is not taken into account	48%
The amount doesn’t reflect how much I contribute to care	30%
My income varies a lot, and this is not taken into account	26%
The calculation is unclear or difficult to understand	23%
Income decreased since my payment was calculated and this is not considered	22%
I could afford to pay more, the calculation should ask me for more	3%
Some other reason	22%
Prefer not to say	1%
Don’t know	0%

Text description

This figure shows the different reasons for feeling that the CM calculation was unfair to paying parents in order of how frequently this was reported by paying parents. Respondents could select more than one reason.

The most commonly selected reason was “It leaves me with too little money to get by”, reported by 67% of paying parents.

This was followed by “It leaves me with too little money to save for the future”, selected by 60%.

Nearly half, 48%, said they provide other support such as clothes, food or activities, but this is not taken into account.

Three in ten, 30%, said the amount does not reflect how much they contribute to care.

Just over a quarter, 26%, reported that their income varies a lot and this is not taken into account.

Around a quarter, 23%, said that the calculation is unclear or difficult to understand.

22% reported that their income decreased since the payment was calculated and this is not considered.

A small proportion, 3%, said they could afford to pay more and that the calculation should ask them for more.

22% selected some other reason.

Very small proportions selected prefer not to say, at 1%, and don’t know, at 0%.

Figure 2.14 - proportion of parents who said the paying parent provides “none of these” types of non-financial care

Award rate	Proportion of parents who said the paying parent provides “none of these” types of non-financial care - RP	Proportion of parents who said the paying parent provides “none of these” types of non-financial care - PP
Flat (%)	83	50
Reduced (%)	63	37
Basic (%)	60	32
Basic plus (%)	53	26

Text description

This table shows the percentage of receiving parents (RP) and paying parents (PP) who reported that the paying parent provides none of the listed types of non‑financial care, by rate type.

For parents on a flat rate, 83% of receiving parents and 50% of paying parents reported that the paying parent provides none of these types of non‑financial care.

The proportion for those on a reduced rate was 63% for receiving parents and 37% for paying parents.

For parents on a basic rate, 60% of receiving parents and 32% of paying parents reported that no non‑financial care was provided.

The proportion of parents on basic plus was 53% for receiving parents and 26% for paying parents.

Figure 3.1 - proportion of parents on each rate that said CM payments were “always on time”

Award rate	Proportion of parents on each rate that said CM payments were “always on time” - RP	Proportion of parents on each rate that said CM payments were “always on time” - PP
Flat (%)	12	61
Reduced (%)	15	67
Basic (%)	27	79
Basic plus (%)	43	90

Text description

This table shows the percentage of receiving parents (RP) and paying parents (PP) who said that CM payments were always on time, by rate type.

For parents on a flat rate, 12% of receiving parents and 61% of paying parents reported that payments were always on time.

The proportion for those on a reduced rate was 15% for receiving parents and 67% for paying parents.

For parents on a basic rate, 27% of receiving parents and 79% of paying parents said payments were always on time.

The proportion for parents on a basic plus rate rose to 43% for receiving parents and 90% for paying parents.

Figure 3.2 - amount of CM payments usually received or paid

Award rate	Proportion of parents on each CM rate that said the usual amount of CM payments they received or paid was “all of it” - RP	Proportion of parents on each CM rate that said the usual amount of CM payments they received or paid was “all of it” - PP
Flat (%)	24	77
Reduced (%)	43	87
Basic (%)	52	93
Basic plus (%)	73	96

Text description

This table shows the percentage of receiving parents (RP) and paying parents (PP) who said that the usual amount of CM payments they received or paid was “all of it”, by CM rate type.

For parents on the flat rate, 24% of receiving parents and 77% of paying parents said that the usual amount of CM that was paid was ‘all of it’

For those on the reduced rate, 43% of receiving parents and 87% of paying parents said that the usual amount of maintenance that was received or paid was “all of it”.

For parents on the basic rate, 52% of receiving parents and 93% of paying parents reported that the usual amount of maintenance that was received or paid was “all of it”.

For parents on the basic plus rate, 73% of receiving parents and 96% of paying parents reported that the usual amount of maintenance that was received or paid was “all of it”.

Figure 3.3 - paying parents perceived ease or difficulty to consistently make CM payments by rate

Perception of ease or difficulty to consistently make CM payments	Proportion of all paying parents	Proportion of flat rate paying parents	Proportion of reduced rate paying parents	Proportion of basic rate paying parents	Proportion of basic plus rate paying parents
Very easy (%)	19	23	17	17	20
Somewhat easy (%)	11	11	8	11	13
Neither easy nor difficult (%)	20	22	18	20	22
Somewhat difficult (%)	21	17	25	24	22
Very difficult (%)	23	19	24	25	21
Don’t know (%)	5	9	7	3	2

Text description

This table shows the percentage of paying parents who report how easy or difficult it is for the usual amount of CM payments they receive or pay to be “all of it”, shown overall and by CM rate (flat, reduced, basic and basic plus).

Overall, among all paying parents, 19% said it was very easy, 11% somewhat easy, 20% neither easy nor difficult, 21% somewhat difficult, and 23% very difficult. 5% said don’t know

For paying parents on a flat rate, 23% said very easy, 11% somewhat easy, 22% neither easy nor difficult, 17% somewhat difficult, and 19% very difficult. 9% said don’t know.

Among those on a reduced rate, 17% reported very easy, 8% somewhat easy, 18% neither easy nor difficult, 25% somewhat difficult, and 24% very difficult. 7% reported don’t know.

For paying parents on a basic rate, 17% said very easy, 11% somewhat easy, 20% neither easy nor difficult, 24% somewhat difficult, and 25% very difficult. 3% said don’t know.

Basic plus rate - Among those on a basic plus rate, 20% said very easy, 13% somewhat easy, 22% neither easy nor difficult, 22% somewhat difficult, and 21% very difficult. 2% reported don’t know.

Figure 3.4 - receiving parents perceived ease or difficulty for the paying parent to consistently make CM payments by rate

Perception of ease or difficulty to consistently make CM payments	Proportion of all receiving parents	Proportion of flat rate receiving parents	Proportion of reduced rate receiving parents	Proportion of basic rate receiving parents	Proportion of basic plus rate receiving parents
Very easy (%)	63	54	68	65	78
Somewhat easy (%)	10	10	10	12	9
Neither easy nor difficult (%)	7	7	7	7	3
Somewhat difficult (%)	2	2	2	2	1
Very difficult (%)	5	8	3	4	1
Don’t know (%)	13	18	10	10	8

Text description

This table shows the percentage of receiving parents who report how easy or difficult they think it is for the paying parent to consistently make CM payments, shown overall and by CM rate (flat, reduced, basic and basic plus).

Overall, 63% of receiving parents said it was very easy for the paying parent to consistently make payments. A further 10% said somewhat easy, 7% said neither easy nor difficult, 2% said somewhat difficult and 5% said very difficult. 13% said don’t know.

For parents on a flat rate, 54% said it was very easy, 10% somewhat easy, 7% neither easy nor difficult, 2% somewhat difficult, and 8% very difficult. 18% said don’t know.

Among those on a reduced rate, 68% said very easy, 10% somewhat easy, 7% neither easy nor difficult, 2% somewhat difficult, and 3% very difficult. 10% said don’t know.

For parents on a basic rate, 65% reported very easy, 12% somewhat easy, 7% neither easy nor difficult, 2% somewhat difficult, and 4% very difficult. 10% reported don’t know.

Among those on a basic plus rate, 78% said it was very easy, 9% somewhat easy, 3% neither easy nor difficult, 1% somewhat difficult, and 1% very difficult. 8% said don’t know.

Figure 3.7 - level of reduction to payments that would make it easier for a paying parent who was struggling to consistently to pay

Perceived level of reduction to payments what would make it easier for a paying parent who was struggling to consistently to pay	Proportion of all Paying parents who said they find it “very difficult” or “somewhat difficult” to consistently make CM payments	Proportion of Flat rate paying parents who said they find it “very difficult” or “somewhat difficult” to consistently make CM payments	Proportion of Reduced rate paying parents who said they find it “very difficult” or “somewhat difficult” to consistently make CM payments	Proportion of Basic rate paying parents who said they find it “very difficult” or “somewhat difficult” to consistently make CM payments	Proportion of Basic plus rate paying parents who said they find it “very difficult” or “somewhat difficult” to consistently make CM payments
A reduction of less than 10% a week would make it easier (%)	1	0	2	1	0
Around a 10% reduction per week (%)	2	3	4	2	1
Around a 20% reduction per week (%)	8	1	5	10	14
Around a 30% reduction per week (%)	12	4	6	16	15
More than a 30% reduction per week (%)	38	21	36	43	50
It would still be difficult to pay with a reduction (%)	25	46	33	18	15
Prefer not to say (%)	5	9	6	4	2
Don’t know (%)	8	16	9	6	4

Text description

This table shows the percentage of paying parents who say different levels of weekly reduction in CM payments would make it easier for them to consistently pay, shown overall and by CM rate (flat, reduced, basic and basic plus).

Overall, 1% of paying parents said a reduction of less than 10% per week would make it easier, 2% said around a 10% reduction, 8% said around a 20% reduction, 12% said around a 30% reduction, and 38% said more than a 30% reduction per week would make it easier. A quarter, 25%, said it would still be difficult to pay even with a reduction.
5% said prefer not to say and 8% said don’t know.

For paying parents on a flat rate, less than 1% said a reduction of less than 10% would make it easier, 3% said around a 10% reduction, 1% said around a 20% reduction, 4% said around a 30% reduction, and 21% said more than a 30% reduction would make it easier. 46% said it would still be difficult to pay with a reduction. 9% said prefer not to say and 16% said don’t know.

Among those on a reduced rate, 2% said a reduction of less than 10% would make it easier, 4% said around a 10% reduction, 5% said around a 20% reduction, 6% said around a 30% reduction, and 36% said more than a 30% reduction would make it easier.
33% said it would still be difficult to pay with a reduction. 6% said prefer not to say and 9% said don’t know.

For paying parents on a basic rate, 1% said a reduction of less than 10% would make it easier, 2% said around a 10% reduction, 10% said around a 20% reduction, 16% said around a 30% reduction, and 43% said more than a 30% reduction would make it easier.
18% said it would still be difficult to pay with a reduction. 4% said prefer not to say and 6% said don’t know.

Among those on a basic plus rate, less than 1% said a reduction of less than 10% would make it easier, 1% said around a 10% reduction, 14% said around a 20% reduction, 15% said around a 30% reduction, and 50% said more than a 30% reduction would make it easier. 15% said it would still be difficult to pay with a reduction. 2% said prefer not to say and 4% said don’t know.

Figure 3.8 - impact hypothetical reductions in CM payments would have on creating financial difficulties for receiving parents

Perceived impact of hypothetical reductions in CM payments would have on creating financial difficulties	Proportion of all  receiving parents who received more than £0 a week	Proportion of Flat rate receiving parents who received more than £0 a week	Proportion of Reduced rate receiving parents who received more than £0 a week	Proportion of Basic rate receiving parents who received more than £0 a week	Proportion of Basic plus rate receiving parents who received more than £0 a week
I already find it difficult to pay bills and buy essential items (%)	61	60	62	61	62
I could cope with a decrease of up to 10% per week (%)	4	<1	2	6	7
I could cope with a decrease of up to 20% per week (%)	2	0	2	4	4
I could cope with a decrease of up to 30% per week (%)	1	<1	1	1	1
I could cope with a decrease of over 30% per week (%)	6	7	6	6	5
Prefer not to say (%)	10	11	10	9	10
Don’t know (%)	16	21	17	15	11

Text description

This table shows the percentage of paying parents who report how hypothetical reductions in CM payments would affect the receiving parent’s ability to manage financially, shown overall and by CM rate (flat, reduced, basic and basic plus).

Overall, 61% said they already found it difficult to pay bills and buy essential items.
4% said the receiving parent could cope with a decrease of up to 10% per week, 2% with a decrease of up to 20%, and 1% with a decrease of up to 30%. 6% said they could cope with a decrease of over 30% per week. 10% said prefer not to say and 16% said don’t know.

For those on a flat rate, 60% said they already found it difficult to pay bills and buy essential items. 0% said they could cope with a decrease of up to 10%, 0% with up to 20%, and 0% for up to 30%. 7% said they could cope with a decrease of over 30%. 21% said prefer not to say and 11% said don’t know.

Among those on a reduced rate, 62% said they already found it difficult to pay bills and buy essential items. 2% said they could cope with a decrease of up to 10%, 2% with up to 20%, and 1% with up to 30%. 6% said they could cope with a decrease of over 30%. 17% said prefer not to say and 10% said don’t know.

For those on a basic rate, 61% said they already found it difficult to pay bills and buy essential items. 6% said they could cope with a decrease of up to 10%, 1% with up to 20%, and 4% with up to 30%. 6% said they could cope with a decrease of over 30%. 15% said prefer not to say and 9% said don’t know

Among those on a basic plus rate, 62% said they already found it difficult to pay bills and buy essential items. 7% said they could cope with a decrease of up to 10%, 4% with up to 20%, and 1% with up to 30%. 5% said they could cope with a decrease of over 30%. 11% said prefer not to say and 10% said don’t know.

Figure 3.14 - impact hypothetical increases in CM payments would have on reducing compliance amongst paying parents who find it easy to consistently pay CM

Perceived impact hypothetical increases in CM payments would have on reducing compliance	Proportion of all Paying parents who said they find it “very easy” or “somewhat easy” to consistently make CM payments	Proportion of Flat rate paying parents who said they find it “very easy” or “somewhat easy” to consistently make CM payments	Proportion of Reduced rate paying parents who said they find it “very easy” or “somewhat easy” to consistently make CM payments	Proportion of Basic rate paying parents who said they find it “very easy” or “somewhat easy” to consistently make CM payments	Proportion of Basic plus rate paying parents who said they find it “very easy” or “somewhat easy” to consistently make CM payments
An increase of less than 10% a week would make it difficult (%)	22	19	9	23	29
Around a 10% increase per week (%)	9	6	7	12	10
Around a 20% increase per week (%)	11	10	12	11	16
Around a 30% increase per week (%)	6	2	2	10	5
More than a 30% increase per week (%)	24	32	41	20	14
Prefer not to say (%)	12	13	11	12	10
Don’t know (%)	15	18	18	12	16

Text description

This table shows the percentage of paying parents who say different levels of hypothetical increases in CM payments would make it difficult to continue paying consistently, shown overall and by CM rate (flat, reduced, basic and basic plus).

Overall, 22% of paying parents say that an increase of less than 10% per week would make it difficult to continue paying consistently. 9% say around a 10% increase per week, 11% say around a 20% increase, 6% say around a 30% increase, and 24% say more than a 30% increase per week would make it difficult. 12% say prefer not to say, and 15% say don’t know.

For paying parents on a flat rate, 19% say an increase of less than 10% would make it difficult. 6% say around a 10% increase, 10% around a 20% increase, 2% around a 30% increase, and 32% say more than a 30% increase would make it difficult. 13% say prefer not to say, and 18% say don’t know.

Among those on a reduced rate, 9% say an increase of less than 10% would make it difficult. 7% say around a 10% increase, 12% around a 20% increase, 2% around a 30% increase, and 41% say more than a 30% increase would make it difficult. 11% say prefer not to say, and 18% say don’t know.

For paying parents on a basic rate, 23% say an increase of less than 10% would make it difficult. 12% say around a 10% increase, 11% around a 20% increase, 10% around a 30% increase, and 20% say more than a 30% increase would make it difficult. 12% say prefer not to say, and 12% say don’t know.

Among those on a basic plus rate, 29% say an increase of less than 10% would make it difficult. 10% say around a 10% increase, 16% around a 20% increase, 5% around a 30% increase, and 14% say more than a 30% increase would make it difficult. 10% say prefer not to say, and 16% say don’t know.

Figure 4.2 - impact of CM payments on future employment decisions

Perceived impact of CM payments on future employment decisions for paying parents that selected “would be the most important factor” or “would think about this a lot” when considering the following impacts	Applying for a (new) job	Increasing the hours you work	Reducing the hours you work or retiring early	Looking for a promotion
It would be the most important factor (%)	17	17	16	14
I would think about this a lot (%)	29	26	26	25
I would think about this a fair amount (%)	13	10	12	13
I would think about this a little (%)	8	8	7	8
I would not think about this at all (%)	15	17	16	16
Not applicable to me (%)	11	14	16	15
Don’t know (%)	8	7	8	7

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This table shows the percentage of parents who report how much CM payments would influence different future employment decisions. The decisions shown are applying for a (new) job, increasing the hours worked, reducing hours worked or retiring early, and looking for a promotion.

17% say CM payments would be the most important factor when applying for a new job. A further 29% say they would think about this a lot, 13% say they would think about this a fair amount, and 8% say they would think about this a little. 15% say they would not think about this at all, 11% say it is not applicable to them, and 8% say don’t know.

For increasing working hours, 17% say CM payments would be the most important factor. 26% say they would think about this a lot, 10% a fair amount, and 8% a little. 17% say they would not think about this at all, 14% say it is not applicable, and 7% say don’t know.

When considering reducing hours or retiring early, 16% say payments would be the most important factor. 26% say they would think about this a lot, 12% a fair amount, and 7% a little. 16% say they would not think about this at all, 16% say it is not applicable, and 8% say don’t know.

For looking for a promotion, 14% say payments would be the most important factor.
25% say they would think about this a lot, 13% a fair amount, and 8% a little. 16% they would not think about this at all, 15% say it is not applicable, and 7% say don’t know.

Figure 4.3 - proportions of paying parents by CM rate that stated the amount of CM they would have to pay in the future “would be the most important factor” or “would think about this a lot” when considering employment choices

Employment choices considerations	Nil award	Flat	Reduced	Basic	Basic plus
Applying for a (new) job (%)	42	31	43	50	60
Increasing the hours you work (%)	33	24	41	52	55
Reducing the hours you work or retiring early (%)	33	24	41	52	56
Looking for a promotion (%)	34	23	40	44	54

Text description

This table shows the percentage of paying parents who said that the amount of CM they would have to pay in the future would be either the most important factor or something they would think about a lot when considering different employment choices, by CM rate.

Among those applying for a (new) job with a nil award, 42% said the future amount of CM would be the most important factor or something they would think about a lot when applying for a new job. The proportion for those on a flat rate is 31%. For a reduced rate, it is 43%. For a basic rate, 50% said this would be the case, rising to 60% among those on a basic plus rate.

For increasing working hours, 33% of paying parents with a nil award said the amount of future CM would be a major consideration. This compares with 24% for those on a flat rate, 31% on a reduced rate, 52% on a basic rate, and 55% on a basic plus rate.

When considering reducing hours or retiring early, 33% of paying parents with a nil award said the future amount of CM would be the most important factor or something they would think about a lot. The proportion is 24% for those on a flat rate, 41% on a reduced rate, 52% on a basic rate, and 56% on a basic plus rate.

For looking for a promotion, 34% of paying parents with a nil award said the future amount of CM would be a major consideration. This compares with 23% for those on a flat rate, 40% on a reduced rate, 44% on a basic rate, and 54% on a basic plus rate.