Bridget Phillipson expressed deep concern over the detrimental effects of the two-child benefit limit. As the Education Secretary and a candidate for the deputy leader position, she strongly hinted at the imminent removal of this policy.
Leading the government’s child poverty taskforce, Phillipson emphasized the urgency in addressing the issue, highlighting the escalating child poverty rates caused by the current system. She condemned the impact of the Tory policy, vowing to rectify the situation.
Meanwhile, discussions are underway regarding the potential replacement of the controversial benefit limit. One proposal involves implementing a new “tapered system” where parents would receive varying levels of support based on the number of children. The Treasury is also exploring options to alleviate the severity of the two-child limit by potentially extending benefits to families with more children.
Although there have been speculations about policy changes, government officials clarified that no final decisions have been made. Rachel Reeves, another key figure, refrained from confirming any plans to abolish the two-child benefit cap at a recent Labour party conference event.
Reeves emphasized the commitment to reducing child poverty within the current Parliament but highlighted the need for transparent funding sources before implementing any policies. In the same vein, Lucy Powell, a contender in the deputy leader race, echoed calls for scrapping the Tory-era policy.
The ongoing deliberations and debates indicate a pressing need for addressing child poverty issues, with various stakeholders advocating for reforms to alleviate the financial burden on families.