ONE million children in working families will be hit by the two-child benefit cap, figures have revealed, as the SNP is set to force a vote on scrapping the policy.
Analysis from Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) found that next month the number of families adversely impacted by the policy, originally brought in by the Conservatives in 2017, will grow to one million.
Keir Starmer has previously suspended MPs from the Labour whip for supporting an SNP amendment to the King’s speech pushing for an end to the policy.
SNP Westminster deputy leader Pete Wishart MP said it was “shameful” that child poverty was rising under Starmer’s watch.
And now, SNP MP Kirsty Blackman is due to force a vote on the issue by introducing the Child Poverty Strategy (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill to the UK Parliament on Tuesday.
The Scottish Government has already set plans in motion to scrap the cap north of the Border, with applications for a new benefit to offset it, the Two Child Benefit Payment, opening in March 2026.
The current cap blocks families from claiming the child element of universal credit for a third or subsequent child, except if certain conditions are met. Women who became pregnant through “non-consensual conception” can be given an exemption if they can prove that is the case, known as the “rape clause”.
DWP statistics show that 59% of families impacted by the cap are working, and the majority of those who are not in employment are not required to, as they either have very young children or are ill or disabled.
CPAG’s analysis found that a lone parent working full time with three children is currently £4500 a year under the poverty line, this would drop to £1000 a year below the poverty line if the cap is scrapped.
A couple with three children, one working full time and the other part time on minimum wage is currently £2000 under the poverty line, this would be £1500 if the two-child cap was not in place, the figures said.
CPAG carried out a rolling survey over the past year, finding that 93% of 148 working parents said the policy meant they struggle to pay for food, while 84% struggle to pay for clothing. Of respondents, 72% say they struggle to pay for gas and electricity, 49% for childcare, 44% for travel and 43% for rent or mortgage.
Wishart described the vote as "a key test of whether the Labour Government is capable of change" and said "it is shameful that, under Keir Starmer, child poverty is soaring to record levels in the UK – and hard-pressed families are hammered as the cost of living soars on the Labour Party's watch".
Ahead of the vote, poverty charities and political parties have given their backing to the SNP bill, including the Liberal Democrats, Green Party, Plaid Cymru, Independent Alliance, DUP, SDLP, Alliance Party, and MP Brian Leishman, who has currently had the Labour whip suspended.
"Voters were promised change, but instead the UK has gone from bad to worse under Keir Starmer's government,” Wishart said.
“Energy bills, food prices and inflation are rising, unemployment is at a four-year high, the UK economy is downgraded, and many families are struggling to get by.
"Today's vote on scrapping the two-child benefit cap will be a key test of whether the Labour government is capable of change, or whether it will continue to push children into poverty, and leave families in the lurch, by repeating the same damaging Keir Starmer mistakes.
"The fact that one million children in working families are now being hit by this punitive Westminster policy should shame the Labour government.
“They must finally scrap the cap and help hard-pressed families now."
Liz Saville Roberts, Plaid Cymru MP, said: "The Trussell Trust’s new Hunger in Wales report shows that families with three or more children are far more likely to be forced to turn to food banks.
"Parents are being pushed into impossible choices – skipping meals themselves so their children can eat. The two-child limit is at the heart of this injustice.
“It deliberately punishes families simply because of the number of children they have, and it is driving thousands into needless hardship.
“I’m proud to give mine, and my party’s support, behind Kirsty’s Bill to repeal this cruel policy; I’d encourage members from across the House to do the same."
Sian Berry, Green MP, added that “poverty is a political choice”, adding: “This bill will make the right choice to support millions of families who are facing the deepest poverty and inequality.
“I am delighted to join in a cross-party effort to put this injustice right.
"In the face of evidence that more than 100 children are pushed into poverty a day directly by this policy, it is unforgivable that the Labour Government has not yet lifted the two-child benefit cap."
