Labour’s Rachel Reeves is determined to ensure that the recently removed two-child benefit limit stays abolished and is never reinstated by Reform UK or the Conservative Party. Reeves expressed her commitment to preventing any political party from proposing such an unpopular policy in future elections. The elimination of the two-child benefit limit, which restricted Universal Credit to the first two children in a family, was celebrated as a significant step to lift an estimated 450,000 children out of poverty.
The policy, implemented during George Osborne’s tenure as Chancellor, was widely criticized for exacerbating child poverty. Despite pledges from both Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and Kemi Badenoch’s Tories to reintroduce the limit, Reeves emphasized the importance of safeguarding the current policy under a Labour government.
Addressing supporters at a reception in No11 Downing Street, Reeves stressed the ongoing need to defend the policy and ensure its longevity. She highlighted the positive impact the policy has had on reducing child poverty and urged for continuous advocacy to maintain its effectiveness and widespread public support.
Reeves also commended campaigners who played a role in the removal of the two-child benefit limit. She warned against the potential consequences of reversing the policy, emphasizing that reinstating it would push hundreds of thousands of children back into poverty. The decision to scrap the policy last year followed internal debates within the Labour Party, leading to the suspension of seven MPs for opposing the government’s stance on the issue in 2024.
When questioned about the timing of the policy’s removal, Reeves defended Labour’s commitment to reducing child poverty and highlighted the financial considerations behind the decision. She clarified that the necessary funds were generated through measures such as taxing gambling companies, ensuring the policy change could be implemented effectively.
Reeves concluded by underlining the importance of protecting the progress made in combating child poverty and preventing any potential regressions in welfare policies.