US EditionStarmer doesn't rule out scrapping two-child benefit cap after free school meals expansion
- Around 4.45 million children currently live in poverty across the UK, a figure larger than several combined regions.
- The two-child benefit cap, introduced in 2017 to restrict means-tested benefits to two children per household, drives poverty especially in larger families.
- The government established a Child Poverty Taskforce in August 2024, which is developing a strategy to address poverty's root causes and delayed its report to later this year.
- Abolishing the cap is expected to lift between 350,000 and 500,000 children out of poverty but costs an estimated £4.5 billion, while expanding free school meals will affect 500,000 children from 2026.
- This policy shift signals possible change by the Labour Government, suggesting increased investment and reforms to Universal Credit amid mounting political and public pressure.
7 Articles
7 Articles
Labour told to scrap two-child benefit cap or risk 'child poverty surging on their watch'
Labour has been told to abolish the two-child benefit cap or risk "seeing hunger, hardship and child poverty rise", a leading food bank provider has warned.The Trussell Trust hailed news that all children in England whose parents receive Universal Credit will qualify for free school meals, regardless of household income, from September 2026, describing it as a "positive step" towards ending child poverty.The change removes the current £7,400 ann…
Starmer Doesn't Rule Out Scrapping Two-child Benefit Cap After Free School Meals Expansion - Great Yorkshire Radio
The prime minister hinted that he wants to go further after opening up free school dinners to half a million more pupils. Politics live: Senior Tory attacks Liz Truss in speech Currently only those whose parents or guardians have an income of less than £7,400 a year are eligible, but from 2026 it will include children in households on universal credit – a move welcomed by child poverty campaigners. Asked if the change is a substitute for lifting…
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