Sharon Cyrus
A harsh rule from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is currently affecting thousands of children across the UK.
The two-child benefit limit, which restricts the ability of parents to claim certain means-tested benefits for more than two children, is having a significant impact on families.
As of April, 37,000 children were directly affected by this policy, and a total of 1.7 million children now live in households affected by the rule.
How Many Children Are Impacted?
The policy now affects one in nine children across the UK. Among the families that are impacted:
- 62% have three children
- 59% are from working households.
These figures, based on DWP data, highlight how widespread the policy’s effects are and how it disproportionately affects families with larger numbers of children.
Response from Save the Children and Experts
Dan Paskins, the Executive Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Campaigns at Save the Children UK, described the statistics as both “devastating” and “shameful.” He emphasized that the policy’s impact has increased the number of children suffering due to their siblings, stating:
“Almost 40,000 more children are now being punished just for having siblings.”
The two-child benefit cap, introduced under the Conservative government, limits the amount of means-tested benefits parents can claim for more than two children, except in very specific cases.
Experts Call for the Abolition of the Policy
Experts agree that abolishing the two-child benefit limit would be one of the most effective ways to reduce child poverty. According to estimates, around 100 children fall into poverty each day because of this cap.
Behind every statistic, there is a child missing out on basic needs, such as food, clothing, and a decent home, through no fault of their own. These children are suffering simply because of a policy that does not consider their well-being.
Government Action and Accountability
The call for change has grown louder, with prominent figures like Lord John Bird, founder of The Big Issue and a crossbench peer, labeling the situation as a poverty crisis. He further criticized the government’s policy, stating:
“It is both a moral and a political necessity that this government ends the two-child benefit cap at the autumn budget. The public will not tolerate further inaction from Labour.”
He also warned that any potential savings from the cap will result in much higher societal costs, which will be felt in the future in areas like schools, the NHS, prisons, and other parts of the social security system that fail these children.
The two-child benefit limit is having a profound and harmful effect on children, pushing many families deeper into poverty.
Experts and advocates agree that the most effective solution is to abolish the cap to prevent further harm to children’s well-being and the future of society.
With the government facing mounting pressure, it is essential for them to take action and reverse this policy to avoid exacerbating the child poverty crisis.
FAQs
1. What is the two-child benefit limit?
The two-child benefit limit is a rule that restricts parents from claiming certain means-tested benefits for more than two children, with very few exceptions.
2. How many children are impacted by the two-child benefit limit?
As of April, 37,000 children were directly impacted, and a total of 1.7 million children live in households affected by the policy.
3. What do experts say about abolishing the two-child benefit limit?
Experts argue that abolishing the policy would be one of the most effective ways to reduce child poverty in the UK and prevent further harm to children’s futures.