Child Maintenance: Victory secured for single mum who wins £15,000 - 'wonderful outcome!'

If a parent does not pay, as has happened in this case, then the CMS says it will always step in to take action.

If the paying parent pays through the official service, then the CMS can take action immediately.

However, if the paying parent pays directly, the receiving parent will need to ask the service to act.

DWP minister Baroness Stedman-Scott offered her perspective on the matter.

She said: “I know almost all parents do everything they can to support their family.