Bridget Phillipson has expressed deep concern over the negative effects of the two-child benefit limit, describing it as “devastating.” The Education Secretary, currently vying for the deputy leader position to replace Angela Rayner, strongly hinted at the imminent abandonment of this policy.
Leading the government’s child poverty taskforce, Ms. Phillipson emphasized the urgent need for action, pointing out that as time passes and more children are born, the number of families affected by child poverty continues to rise. She stressed the necessity to address this issue promptly.
In an interview with the BBC, Ms. Phillipson condemned the two-child benefit limit as a harmful Tory policy that has significantly impacted children and assured that steps will be taken to rectify it.
Meanwhile, Rachel Reeves is contemplating the removal of the policy that restricts Child Tax Credits and Universal Credit payments to the first two children later this fall. The Chancellor is reportedly exploring alternative measures, including a potential shift to a new “tapered system.”
Under this proposed system, families may receive higher benefits for their first child and reduced amounts for subsequent children. Additionally, discussions are underway within the Treasury on the possibility of easing the severity of the two-child benefit limit by offering additional support to families with three or four children.
Government officials clarified that no final decision has been made yet, with the child poverty task force still actively working on potential solutions. Ms. Reeves refrained from confirming whether she plans to scrap the two-child benefit cap during a recent event at the Labour party conference.
Ms. Phillipson and former Commons leader Lucy Powell are both candidates in the race to succeed Angela Rayner as deputy leader, with both advocating for the discontinuation of the Tory-era policy.