Single parent campaigners in Scotland are calling on MPs to support the elimination of the two-child benefit cap. One Parent Families Scotland has sent a letter to all Scottish MPs, asking for their backing to remove the limit in the upcoming Budget. The benefits cap, introduced by George Osborne a decade ago, restricts Universal Credit and child tax credits to only the first two children in a family.
An SNP amendment to remove the cap did not succeed in the House of Commons in July, with no Scottish Labour MPs voting for its removal. While Labour leader Keir Starmer has not committed to scrapping the cap, Labour Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson mentioned that the issue would be “considered” by the Government as she leads a new child poverty taskforce.
Satwat Rehman, the chief executive of One Parent Families Scotland, emphasized in the letter to MPs the significant impact the two-child limit has had on families, particularly single parent households, pushing them further into poverty and presenting them with difficult choices. Rehman highlighted the importance of standing against policies that harm vulnerable families, citing the removal of the two-child limit as a crucial step towards ensuring all children can thrive.
The campaigners are urging MPs to support the removal of the two-child benefit cap, stressing the potential transformative difference it could make to families across the UK. By advocating for the elimination of this policy, they aim to address the hardships faced by families and uphold principles of social justice in Scotland.
In light of the forthcoming Budget, the pressure is on MPs to consider the well-being of families and children when making decisions that could impact their livelihoods. The call to scrap the two-child benefit cap continues to gather momentum as campaigners make a compelling case for its removal to support struggling families in need.