Scrap the Cap on Child Benefits

This week, I took part in my very first vote as Newbury’s MP and voted to scrap the two-child benefit cap. I supported the Liberal Democrat amendment to the King’s Speech and the SNP amendment, both calling for an end to this unfair and cruel policy.

Getting rid of the two-child benefit cap is a sensible and compassionate solution. It’s causing unnecessary hardship for families and children all over the country. It is a failed policy, trapping hundreds of thousands of children to live in poverty.

As Liberal Democrats, we’re pushing hard for the government to scrap this cap. This would help thousands of children around the country.

While Labour’s Child Poverty Commission is a positive start, we don’t need another study to tell us what’s obvious. The charity Save the Children estimates scrapping the cap would take half a million children out of relative poverty. We need to take action and lift this cap now.

That’s why I voted to scrap the cap. It’s the most effective way to tackle poverty, and it’s just the right thing to do. The Liberal Democrats will keep campaigning to scrap it, as this would be the quickest and most cost-effective way to lift children out of poverty, with huge long-term benefits for our society and our economy. I will continue to advocate for these changes in Parliament, ensuring that our community's voice is heard and our children's futures are protected.”

Understanding the Two-Child Benefit Cap

The two-child benefit cap, introduced by the Conservatives in 2015 under David Cameron and George Osborne's austerity measures, restricts parents from claiming child tax credit or Universal Credit payments for only their first and second children. Effective from April 2017, this policy limits financial support to £287.92 per month for each of the first two children, excluding any subsequent children from these benefits. While Child Benefit remains unaffected and has no limit on the number of children it can cover, the cap has impacted 1.6 million children across over one million families. Despite 23% of these families being in work, many face financial constraints due to this restriction. This policy has been widely criticised for exacerbating child poverty and placing undue financial strain on larger families.

Why This Matters

• Impact on Families: The cap has left many families struggling to make ends meet, pushing children into poverty and making it harder for parents to provide basic necessities.
• Economic Consequences: Child poverty has long-term negative effects on the economy, leading to increased social welfare costs and decreased economic productivity.
• Moral Responsibility: It’s our duty to support families and ensure all children have the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their birth order.

How Your MP Voted

You can check how other MPs voted on this important issue here.

The Liberal Democrat Policy

The Liberal Democrats are committed to:

• Scrapping the Two-Child Benefit Cap: To immediately alleviate the financial burden on families and lift children out of poverty.
• Supporting Families: Implementing policies that provide comprehensive support for families, ensuring every child has the best start in life.

Economic Justice: Promoting economic policies that reduce inequality and create opportunities for all.