Earlier this week, I spoke at the Despatch Box for the Second Reading of the Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill, as the Government proceeds with its plan to lift the two-child limit, a policy not included in Labour’s manifesto and previously ruled out by the Chancellor.
During the debate, I challenged Ministers to explain how this decision is fair to households who work hard, pay tax and receive little or no support themselves.
Roughly six million working people earn little more than their neighbours on benefits, and 1 in 4 full-time workers would be better off on benefits than in work - yet Labour is spending more and more taxpayers’ money scrapping the two-child limit, a short-term fix that does nothing to address the root causes of poverty. Removing the cap would cost the taxpayer £2.4 billion in 2026‑27, rising to £3.2 billion in 2030‑31 and with almost 60% of the public opposing its removal, this is a decision out of step with both common sense and public opinion.
I believe in a strong safety net for the most vulnerable. But compassion must also extend to hard-working parents who are already under pressure from rising bills and taxes, and who are now being asked to foot the bill for a decision they did not vote for.
Have a watch of my full contribution below:
