Starmer Signals Possible U-Turn on Two-Child Benefit Cap Amid Mounting Pressure

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Starmer Signals Possible U-Turn on Two-Child Benefit Cap Amid Mounting Pressure

 

In what appears to be his strongest indication yet of a shift in policy, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said his government “will look at” scrapping the two-child benefit limit, a controversial policy that restricts child tax credit and universal credit to the first two children in a family born after April 2017.

 

The policy, introduced by the Conservative government in 2017, has long been a target of criticism from anti-poverty campaigners and members of the Labour Party. However, in 2023, Starmer explicitly ruled out scrapping it, citing fiscal constraints. Since then, Labour’s position on the cap has wavered, creating confusion and discontent within the party and among voters concerned about rising child poverty.

 

In a marked change of tone, Starmer responded to a question about the cap on Thursday by saying, “We’ll look at all options of driving down child poverty.” His comments come amid growing speculation that the policy may be on the verge of being reversed, especially after reports surfaced that he has asked the Treasury to assess the financial implications of removing the limit.

 

Starmer’s remarks follow a series of conflicting signals from the government in recent months. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told Sky News earlier this week that lifting the cap was “not off the table” and added, “it’s certainly something that we’re considering.” This more open language represents a notable shift from the party’s previous hardline stance.

 

After Labour’s election victory last year, Starmer reiterated the party’s intention to remove the cap, but only “when fiscal conditions allowed.” However, that cautious optimism soon gave way to a more rigid approach. He suspended seven Labour MPs shortly after the election for voting with the SNP to abolish the cap, reaffirming that the policy would remain in place for the time being.

 

Starmer’s government appears increasingly under pressure to deliver on promises to address child poverty, especially from within its own ranks. The recent softening of the party’s stance may be an effort to realign Labour with its traditional social justice values, without jeopardizing its reputation for economic prudence.

 

This would not be the first time in recent weeks that the Labour leader has shifted course on a key welfare policy. Just last week, Starmer made a surprise announcement reversing parts of the winter fuel payment cut, a controversial decision made early in his tenure that limited the previously universal benefit to pensioners on pension credit. In a reversal that caught many by surprise, Starmer said the payment would now be available to “more pensioners,” although the specifics of who would benefit — and when — remain unclear.

 

Taken together, these recent moves suggest that Starmer’s administration is willing to revisit some of its earlier positions in light of growing political pressure and public concern. Whether the two-child cap is ultimately scrapped remains to be seen, but for now, Starmer’s latest remarks offer the clearest sign yet that change may be on the horizon.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Sky News  2025-05-31

 

 

[WDSmart]

I'm not a UK citizen, and in my country, the USA, we don't have any restrictions like this, but I think doing anything to discourage people from having children is a good thing. In fact, in my most recent book, I name human overpopulation as one of the three main causes of our (human's) continuing degradation of the Earth's biosphere. In my book, I, in fact, recommended a global 1-woman/1-child policy, which would reduce our population to about 10% (a 90% reduction) of what it is now, but that would take about 350 years. But, in the book, I explain why even doing this would only slow down the inevitable human destruction of the Earth's environment. The simple message of the book is that we are already "over the cliff" on this. 😞 

[Magictoad]

4 hours ago, WDSmart said:

I'm not a UK citizen, and in my country, the USA, we don't have any restrictions like this, but I think doing anything to discourage people from having children is a good thing. In fact, in my most recent book, I name human overpopulation as one of the three main causes of our (human's) continuing degradation of the Earth's biosphere. In my book, I, in fact, recommended a global 1-woman/1-child policy, which would reduce our population to about 10% (a 90% reduction) of what it is now, but that would take about 350 years. But, in the book, I explain why even doing this would only slow down the inevitable human destruction of the Earth's environment. The simple message of the book is that we are already "over the cliff" on this. 😞 

England is a tiny country with a tiny population compared to America, India China, South America . We want to limit population to control our fiscal outlay. That's the issue. I noticed recently in the area referred to as " palestine" a  woman and her nine children had been killed in an airstrip. NINE CHILDREN. She had nine children.  That should be illegal.

[JonnyF]

If you want to know Starmer's next policy, ask Farage. 

 

Reminds me of Harris stealing Trump policies. 

 

Why are the left so weak? So devoid of ideas? So pathetic?

[Chomper Higgot]

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

If you want to know Starmer's next policy, ask Farage. 

 

Reminds me of Harris stealing Trump policies. 

 

Why are the left so weak? So devoid of ideas? So pathetic?

Farage pulled that trick again this week.

 

After plenty of news of Labour’s internal discussion on the matter, Farage announces he would remove the limit (laced of course with some immigration nonsense).

 

His un-costed spending ideas are already north of £85Billion, easy promises he doesn’t have to deliver on.

 

[JonnyF]

5 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Farage pulled that trick again this week.

 

After plenty of news of Labour’s internal discussion on the matter, Farage announces he would remove the limit (laced of course with some immigration nonsense).

 

His un-costed spending ideas are already north of £85Billion, easy promises he doesn’t have to deliver on.

 

 

Doesn't matter.

 

The response of the British public will be "can't be any worse than Starmer".

 

Your little Commie hero is toast.

 

Imagine waiting so long for power and then messing it up so quickly 😄.

[Denim]

Removing the limit is wrong and unfair.

 

If after having two children couples have not learnt the cost of raising them or what contraception is about, is is completely unfair to expect the tax payer to shell out for any more children

born to couples who want more children.

 

You want a large brood , fine. But have the maturity and sense of responsibility to raise them from your own pocket.