Layla Moran renews calls for the government to scrap the unfair two child benefit cap

Layla Moran, MP for Oxford West & Abingdon, has today renewed calls for the government to look again at its plans and scrap the unfair two child benefit cap. The cap stops families on universal credit receiving £3,500 a year in welfare payments. 

This comes as the Government taskforce is expected to announce its recommendation on the future of the policy in the coming days.

Layla and the Liberal Democrats have long been calling for the removal of the two child benefit cap which would lift around 540,000 children out of poverty, with this being a central pledge in the 2024 Liberal Democrat manifesto.

In Parliament, Layla has supported an Early Day Motion calling on the Government to scrap the two child benefit cap immediately - Child poverty and the two-child benefit cap - Early Day Motions - UK Parliament.

This move is supported by the cross-party Poverty Strategy Commission, which released a report in September. The independent commission launched in 2022 with the ambition of creating a cross-party consensus on tackling rising hardship. It offers a mainstream policy blueprint to address what it calls the “societal failure” to tackle poverty.

The commission says scrapping the limit is central to reducing poverty and increasing the life chances of the poorest youngsters. It is widely viewed as the most cost-effective way of immediately lifting children out of poverty and deep poverty

Layla continues to press for the Government to do the right thing and scrap the cap. 

Layla Moran MP said on the cap:

“As we approach the budget, the Prime Minister and Chancellor must rethink their plans on the cruel two child benefit cap.”

“It is clear that by removing this unfair rule, the Government could lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty and help families who may be struggling this coming winter.”