Two-child limit should be scrapped, charity urges

‘Children need all political leaders to commit to abolishing the two-child limit’, Child Poverty Action Group has said.

This comes as Loughborough University published a new study today for the End Child Poverty Coalition about children living in poverty. The data showed a correlation between constituencies with high rates of child poverty and the two-child limit.

The two-child limit means households with a third or subsequent child born from 6 April 2017 claiming Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit no longer receive additional amounts for these children.

Sarah Ogilvie, director of policy, rights and advocacy at Child Poverty Action Group, said: “Children won’t get a say in this election, yet child poverty is at a record high with kids in every corner of the country cut off from opportunities to thrive.

“Their well-being is the responsibility of every politician and should be a policy priority over the next few weeks and beyond.”

Sarah said political leaders also need to ‘set out a plan for helping families to raise happy, healthy children with bright futures.’

Charity Save The Children has stated scrapping the two-child limit is the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty. It is estimated that it would cost around £1.8 billion for 2023/24 – less than 1% of the welfare bill.  

Mark Russell, CEO of charity The Children’s Society, said: “We passionately believe every child deserves the best start in life, and we need decisive action from political leaders to address rising child poverty.  

“The first steps the next government should take is scrapping the two child limit and the benefits cap – these together have had a catastrophic effect, pushing many more families into deep poverty.”

The next general election will take place on 4 July 2024.