Gordon Brown has urged for the complete elimination of the two-child benefit restriction, increasing pressure on Keir Starmer’s administration to take action. The former Labour Prime Minister denounced the levels of child poverty in the UK as disgraceful, labeling it as a stain on the country’s conscience in a significant address delivered on Thursday. This call to action coincides with Keir Starmer’s contemplation of either revoking or diluting the Conservative-imposed policy, which has been criticized by charities for ensnaring children in poverty by limiting Child Tax Credits and Universal Credit to the first two children in a household.
There are indications that the government is exploring various options, such as implementing a new graded rate or enforcing a limit on benefits for three children, to mitigate the impact of this austerity measure. A review on child poverty is anticipated to be presented alongside Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Budget announcement on November 26.
Mr. Brown emphasized the detrimental effects of the two-child policy, attributing the increase in child poverty annually to this rule. He stressed the necessity of abolishing the two-child restriction completely to achieve the government’s goal of reducing poverty by the end of the Parliament and meeting the target that 75% of children under five should be school-ready.
Regarding the controversial “rape-clause” exemption tied to non-consensual conception, Mr. Brown argued that only by completely eliminating the two-child rule can this provision be eradicated. He expressed preference for total abolition over any form of gradual reduction or reform that does not address the core issue.
Mr. Brown also criticized former Chancellor George Osborne, the architect of the policy, highlighting the discriminatory nature of the legislation introduced a decade ago. He refuted the misconception propagated by Osborne that the policy aimed to prevent taxpayers from financially supporting individuals having children they could not afford, emphasizing that 60% of affected families include working individuals or those with newborns.
During the event commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Child Poverty Action Group, Mr. Brown commended former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner for her contributions. He lamented the alarming statistic that approximately 4.5 million children are currently living in poverty, the highest figure in six decades, surpassing even the levels seen during the Thatcher and Major eras.
Alison McGovern, the Minister for Homelessness, acknowledged the crippling impact of child poverty on families’ financial stability, hindering their ability to progress in life. She indicated that the Government’s forthcoming strategy will focus on addressing the underlying causes of child poverty and improving the financial situation of affected families.