every child.
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Child benefit cap to be lifted
(57 Posts)It's heading up several headlines this morning.
Starmer will end the two child limit. This means families can claim tax credits can be paid for further children. đź‘Źđź‘Ź
"Keir Starmer has told cabinet ministers that he wants to scrap the two-child benefit cap and has asked the Treasury to identify ways to fund the plan.
With Labour MPs threatening to rebel over the government’s welfare reforms, the prime minister has privately made clear that he is determined to axe the limit in order to drive down child poverty.
“Keir wants to end the two-child cap – he thinks it’s the right thing to do,” one minister said. “It’s the best and most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty. The alternatives cost more and are less effective.”
observer.co.uk/news/national/article/starmer-to-scrap-two-child-benefit-cap-as-treasury-told-to-find-money
Its being suggested that the money could be found as follows
"One idea being discussed in Whitehall is to fund the measure through a levy on online gambling companies, which are already the subject of a Treasury review"
(Meanwhile of course the government is considering scrapping/altering the WFA, but that a been covered on other threads).
I can't be sure, but I'm guessing that it would cost a fortune to means-test it. Would even child need to bring in payslips from both parents to qualify for a bowl of cornflakes and an apple?
There is no point in singling out 'deprived' children for things like this. Also, there are children from materially solvent households who have parents who are for various reasons incapable of nurturing them as they should. Far easier to include everyone.
It’s a question of cost surely Doodledog?
A free breakfast won't harm any child, and I'm not sure how outsiders can possibly know what individuals 'need'.
Doodledog
I thought the reason it was abandoned by Cameron was that more middle class parents were using it? I don't think that it was intended to be exclusively for the deprived, but to promote an equal start for all children. I'm happy to be corrected on that, though.
The equivalent was and still is in Wales (Welsh Government have continued to provide funding, albeit much reduced) Doodledog. It’s targeted for the areas of greatest deprivation, so effectively it’s a postcode based system. I can’t speak for England, but I’d assume it was similar, perhaps somebody who was directly involved will know?
I thought austerity was the word used by the Conservative government to pull SureStart - much like this government and the WFA …..
Yes SureStart should never have been stopped but does every child need a free breakfast?
I thought the reason it was abandoned by Cameron was that more middle class parents were using it? I don't think that it was intended to be exclusively for the deprived, but to promote an equal start for all children. I'm happy to be corrected on that, though.
ronib
Isn’t this government against benefitting the middle classes though? If a broad sweep approach to improving the lives of all children is implemented, would it be means tested?
One certainly would hope so. There’s no point in spending public money on people who don’t really need the services. SureStart is a very targeted approach for families who are in deprived circumstances, recognising that the first five years of life are the most critical to a child’s future life chances.
Isn’t this government against benefitting the middle classes though? If a broad sweep approach to improving the lives of all children is implemented, would it be means tested?
MayBee70
To be honest I would rather that money to be ploughed into education, nursery places, free breakfasts, social care etc. That way it goes directly to the children themselves.
Completely agree with you on this too.
Agreed, Wyllow. I hope there is clarification before the weather gets colder though. People need to be able to plan.
We're so used to "instant news" that we seem to want "instant confirmation" but on issues as complex as these we have to wait for the crucial details.
A quick look round the papers shows the usual "it depends on their POV" results.
So it hasn’t been confirmed.
Mollygo
Has the removal of the 2child cap been confirmed? The last I heard was that it hasn’t.
(Yes the Observer report of the O/P reported it as a done deal but as people have said its clear now the discussions are well underway as to 3 issues to be announced child benefit cap, WFA, and mentioned this morning, disability. I certainly expect announcements on the first two.)
don’t have more than 2 children if you can’t afford it
Ah! The feckless argument.
People's circumstances change. They lose their jobs, their partner dies or leaves and they are reduced to one wage.
The government spends ÂŁ1.3 trillion a year. It can afford a measly ÂŁ3.5 billion a year so that children don't go hungry.
It currently spends ÂŁ5 billion a year giving prizes to Premium Bond holders, most of that to people who can afford to have holdings of ÂŁ50,000 (ÂŁ100,00 for couples) with no guarantee of a return.
Why do we prioritise wealthy gamblers over hungry children?
wendyann23
It would be good if Sure Start centres are reintroduced as they can have a positive affect.
Not sure on scrapping 2 child cap. It is not child benefit(that is paid regardless of how many children you have) but the money paid to those who are claiming universal credit or other benefits. Maybe don’t have more than 2 children if you can’t afford it? The money will have to come from somewhere.
Some people are pushed into claiming UC after being made redundant, the death of a spouse etc.,
There probably are some claiming UC who have made it a life choice but I hope they are in the minority.
It would be good if Sure Start centres are reintroduced as they can have a positive affect.
Not sure on scrapping 2 child cap. It is not child benefit(that is paid regardless of how many children you have) but the money paid to those who are claiming universal credit or other benefits. Maybe don’t have more than 2 children if you can’t afford it? The money will have to come from somewhere.
I don’t think anything has been confirmed. AR was on LK yesterday and didn’t confirm it. She didn’t deny it either, which I took to mean that it will happen but the detail is being discussed (and will probably depend on reactions to the leak - which she did deny).
Has the removal of the 2child cap been confirmed? The last I heard was that it hasn’t.
I’d be delighted to see Sure Start come back with proper funding.
Locally the sure Start Centres used to be buzzing.
When government cuts hit them the council here tried to transfer what was happening into other projects in the most needy areas, but they didn't offer anything like what was there before and are under used by the Sure Start parents. Maybe its what is actually on offer now as opposed to the name.
Silverbrooks
Some potentially good news:
UK child poverty taskforce set to recommend return of Sure Start scheme
www.theguardian.com/society/2025/may/25/uk-child-poverty-taskforce-set-to-recommend-return-of-sure-start-scheme
That would be good news, Silverbrooks and we know it works.
Article from 2023, when the Tories accepted that it was an error to close SureStart centres because of the impact they had.
www.newstatesman.com/thestaggers/2023/02/replacing-lost-sure-start-centres-is-a-tacit-admission-of-austeritys-failure
Silverbrooks
Some potentially good news:
UK child poverty taskforce set to recommend return of Sure Start scheme
www.theguardian.com/society/2025/may/25/uk-child-poverty-taskforce-set-to-recommend-return-of-sure-start-scheme
Sure Start Centres still exist, expansion is good if they are used.
Our local one is in danger of closure due to under use.
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