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Two-Child Benefit Cap
P003137 - 25 November 2025 to 14 January 2026
Presentations: 2
Presenters: 1
Immigration
At a Glance
This petition concerning two-child benefit cap was presented to Parliament 2 times by 1 MP.
Issue Summary
The petition addresses the Two Child Benefit Cap, which restricts families with three or more children born after April 2017 from receiving benefits for additional children unless they prove that further children were conceived by rape. This policy is cited as a major contributor to child poverty and has affected over 1.6 million children since its introduction.
Action Requested
The petitioners request the House of Commons to urge the Government to consider the impact of the Two Child Benefit Cap in developing a strategy to end child poverty.
Key Facts
- Over 1.6 million children have been impacted by the policy.
- Families with three or more children born after April 2017 face restrictions on claiming benefits for additional children unless they prove rape.
- The policy has led to hardship and child poverty.
- As announced in the Budget on 26 November 2025, the government plans to remove the two-child limit from April 2026.
Presentation Timeline
MPs presented this petition on the following dates. Each card shows the presenters and any recorded remarks.
Presented
14 January 2026
Rachael Maskell
Labour (Co-op)
York Central
Presented
25 November 2025
Rachael Maskell
Labour (Co-op)
York Central
I rise to present a petition on the two-child benefit cap. Tomorrow we all trust will be a turning point for children living in poverty, as the third child and subsequent children in a family have been denied vital support since 2017 unless proved to be conceived by rape. To lift 540,000 children out of poverty with the removal of the two-child limit and a further 80,000 with the removal of the benefit cap is something 578 of my constituents have called for through a paper and digital petition against the hardship which they endure.
The petition states:
“The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to consider the impact of the two-child benefit cap in developing a strategy to end child poverty.”
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