Former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown has urged the complete removal of the two-child benefit cap, increasing pressure on Keir Starmer’s administration to take action. Brown expressed his dismay over the levels of child poverty in the UK, labeling it a national disgrace in a significant address. This call comes as Starmer contemplates altering or scrapping the Conservative-implemented policy, which charities criticize for perpetuating child poverty by limiting Child Tax Credits and Universal Credit to the first two children in a family.
Speculation suggests that the government is exploring alternatives like a tapered rate or a limit on benefits for three children to mitigate the impact of this austerity measure. A review on child poverty is anticipated to coincide with Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Budget presentation on November 26.
Brown emphasized the detrimental impact of the two-child rule on the rising child poverty rates, stressing the necessity of its abolition to meet poverty reduction targets. He highlighted the need to eliminate the policy entirely to avoid the continuation of the controversial “rape-clause” provision. Brown also criticized the introduction of the rule by former Chancellor George Osborne, denouncing it as prejudiced legislation that unfairly targeted struggling families.
Furthermore, Brown commended former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner’s efforts during the 60th anniversary event of the Child Poverty Action Group. He expressed shock at the current 4.5 million children living in poverty, the highest number in six decades. Homelessness minister Alison McGovern addressed the event, promising a Government strategy that focuses on improving family incomes to alleviate the financial burdens of poverty and break the cycle of stagnation for affected families.
Acknowledging the detrimental impact of child poverty on families’ financial stability and overall progress, McGovern emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of this issue. The Government aims to tackle the structural underpinnings of child poverty through its forthcoming strategy.
