Relief as merciless two-child profit restrict lifted amid warning of Tory and Reform hazard
Up to 1.5million children are set to be better off as the cruel two-child benefit limit is lifted, with campaigners branding it a pivotal moment in the fight against poverty
Campaigners have hailed the lifting of the two-child benefit limit, which takes effect today(Image: Kate Stanworth / Save The Children)
Up to 1.5million children are set to be better off from today as the Tory two-child benefit limit is finally scrapped.
The change has been hailed as a pivotal moment by campaigners – with the cruel rules blamed for pushing 100 children a day into poverty. The flagship move will see around half a million youngsters lifted out of poverty despite Conservatives and Reform voting to keep it in place.
Both right-wing parties say they would bring the policy – which restricts benefits such as Universal Credit to a family’s first two children – back if they get into power. Mark Russell, chief executive of The Children’s Society, said: “Ending the two-child limit will change lives. For years, this policy has pushed hundreds of thousands of children into poverty through no fault of their own. Lifting it is a bold and important step that will make a real difference to families across the country.”
And Angi Gibson, headteacher at Hadrian Park Primary School in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, said it will make a real and immediate difference to families. Ms Gibson, president of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “That is fundamental to improving children’s life chances. This isn’t just a policy change – it’s a life chance change for children.”
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Helen Barnard, director of policy and research at foodbank charity Trussell, said: “Lifting the two‑child limit is a pivotal moment for thousands of families and for the food banks supporting them.
“Food banks on the ground are telling us they’re counting down the days until this cruel policy finally disappears, and many expect to see fewer parents needing emergency food support once the change comes in.
“We hope this will ease pressure on overstretched services and give thousands of families the security they should be getting.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in her Budget in November that the two-child limit would be scrapped in full. Research shows two-thirds of children affected live in households where at least one person is in work.
Labour says it represents the biggest reduction in child poverty in a generation. Party chairwoman Anna Turley said: “Today is an historic moment as we bring in a key measure to lift nearly half a million children out of poverty and give families the support they need.
“The difference couldn’t be clearer. While Labour is investing in children’s futures, the Conservatives and Reform would drag families and communities backwards through their cruel child poverty pact. If they had an ounce of decency, they would abandon their plan today.”
Employment minister Dame Diana Johnson said: “For too long, the two-child limit has held children back through no fault of their own.
“With the law now changed, hundreds of thousands of children will grow up with greater security and opportunity. We’re determined to break the link between a child’s background and their life chances and today brings us a step closer to that goal.”
