MPs set for ‘main second’ vote on scrapping DWP two-child profit restrict
Chancellor Rachel Reeves tells The Mirror the vote today on axing the two-child benefit limit marks a major moment in dismantling a policy depriving kids of heating and food
MPs will vote today on scrapping the two-child benefit limit(Image: PA)
Rachel Reeves has said a key vote today on axing the two-child benefit limit marks a major moment in dismantling a policy depriving kids of heating and food.
In an article for The Mirror, the Chancellor said she is proud to be ending the Tory-era measure. She added: “I know what choice I will be making tonight when I vote, and it will be for the others – the Conservatives and Reform – to explain theirs.”
Ms Reeves confirmed at November’s Budget the policy – blamed for trapping kids in poverty – will be axed from April and help lift 450,000 kids out of poverty. Announced by Tory welfare slasher George Osborne and introduced in 2017, it restricts Child Tax Credits and Universal Credit to the first two children in a household.
Legislation formally scrapping the policy will be debated and voted on today for the first time but faces opposition from Kemi Badenoch’s Tories. Reform UK’s Nigel Farage has also said his party will vote against removing the policy.
Before November’s announcement, the issue of the two-child benefit limit caused massive divisions in Labour’s ranks. A commitment to scrap the policy was not included in Labour’s manifesto and seven MPs lost the whip after rebelling on the issue – weeks after the party’s election victory.
But last year the government published its child poverty strategy, which included the vow to scrap the two-child benefit limit, in a move cheered on by Labour MPs.
The Chancellor’s comments come as dozens of organisations and campaigners also urge MPs to vote in favour of ending the “awful experiment” of the two-child benefit limit. In a joint statement today, 60 groups including the Child Poverty Action Group, Citizens Advice, and education unions, say the policy has had a “devastating impact on young lives”.
Their statement says: “This is a historic day for children and families across the UK as legislation to remove the two-child limit from our social security system starts to make its way through Parliament. The two-child limit was an awful experiment that hurt children. More than any other policy, the two-child limit is responsible for driving child poverty to its current record high.”
They add: “Today marks the moment when we start to turn things around for the next generation. We commend the government for making the choice to scrap the two-child limit and ask all MPs to stand with children and support this Bill.
“Every child deserves the best start in life, with a decent childhood that lays the foundations for a strong future. Ending the two-child limit sets our country on the right path to meet that ambition.”
