A coalition of major UK charities is stepping up pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to scrap the two-child benefit cap. They warn that the policy continues to worsen child poverty across the country.
This benefit limit, introduced in 2017, restricts financial support to the first two children in a household. Critics argue it hits low-income families hardest, driving more children into poverty.
Charities like Save the Children and the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) have joined forces. They insist the government must act urgently to reverse the damage. Their call is backed by fresh polling data that shows strong public support for change.
Nearly 75% of respondents believe all children deserve a good start, even if it means higher public spending. This view cuts across political lines and age groups.
CPAG’s Chief Executive Alison Garnham stressed the urgency of the issue. She said removing the cap would be a vital step toward improving children’s lives. A broader strategy to reduce child poverty, she said, is long overdue.
Baroness Ruth Lister, former CPAG director, echoed these concerns. She recently urged the government to adopt legally binding targets to reduce poverty rates among children. She believes the two-child benefit cap has no place in a modern welfare system.
Despite rising pressure, the government has not yet removed the policy. Officials cite budget limits but admit that internal discussions are underway. Some ministers are exploring other ways to support struggling families.
However, many see those alternatives as insufficient. The two-child benefit cap, they argue, directly increases child poverty. Official statistics show 4.5 million children were living in poverty as of April 2024. Without major changes, that number may climb higher.
Public concern is growing, particularly among voters who backed Labour in 2024. Many now consider shifting to Reform UK due to dissatisfaction with current policies. These voters overwhelmingly support stronger family support systems.
As the government prepares a new child poverty strategy, charities remain vocal. They continue to demand the removal of the two-child benefit cap. Experts call it the most cost-effective way to help families and protect children’s futures.
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