Gordon Brown has urged for the complete elimination of the two-child benefit cap, increasing pressure on Keir Starmer’s administration to take action. The former Labour Prime Minister condemned the levels of child poverty in the UK as disgraceful and a “blemish on the conscience of our society” during a significant address on Thursday. This push coincides with Keir Starmer contemplating the removal or reduction of the Conservative-era policy, criticized by charities for ensnaring children in poverty by limiting Child Tax Credits and Universal Credit to the first two children in a family.
There are indications that the government is exploring alternatives such as a new graduated rate or a cap on benefits for three children to mitigate the impact of the austerity measure. A review on child poverty is anticipated to align with Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Budget announcement on November 26.
Brown stated, “The two-child policy is the reason behind the yearly increase in child poverty numbers. I strongly advocate for the termination of the two-child policy.” He emphasized that without abolishing this rule entirely, the government will not achieve its objective of reducing poverty by the end of the term. Brown also highlighted the issue of the so-called “rape-clause,” a provision that can be invoked due to ‘non-consensual conception,’ which will persist unless the policy is repealed completely.
In addition, Brown criticized former Chancellor George Osborne, attributing the introduction of the policy to unfounded biases towards families receiving benefits. He debunked the notion that the policy was necessary to address issues with workless or lazy individuals, emphasizing that the majority of affected families were either working, transitioning between jobs, or had newborns.
During the event commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Child Poverty Action Group, Brown commended former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. He expressed shock at the current statistics showing approximately 4.5 million children living in poverty, the highest figure in six decades. Homelessness minister Alison McGovern, speaking at the same event, underlined the need to enhance family incomes to tackle the financial burdens faced by families in poverty.
McGovern acknowledged that child poverty hinders families from progressing in life due to constant financial struggles. A Government spokesperson stated that the forthcoming strategy will address the fundamental causes of child poverty.
