Working Tax Credit and Universal Credit: Two-Child Limit

Mr Brown highlighted the unfairness of the two-child policy, noting that children born after a midnight deadline are not deemed worthy of support. He criticized the policy for stigmatizing families and putting a price on children, leading to increased child poverty among larger families. He thanked the Minister for an opportunity to speak and asked whether he agrees that the minimum wage should reflect the national living wage, ensuring people receive a fair wage.

She requested the Minister's attention by asking if he would give way for further questions or comments.

Welcomed the debate on the two-child-limit policy, criticising it as a legacy of low-pay and low-income experience. Cited a report that found April's below-inflation benefits rise means families with three children face an additional £938 annual shortfall in basic costs. The speaker also highlighted that 4.3 million UK children live in relative poverty.

Noted that China is facing birth rate issues due to low numbers of children, similar to the UK where austerity measures have led to a 12% drop in the birth rate since 2012. This has implications for pension contributions and job availability. The statistics from the National Audit Office show a 24% increase in abortions in England and Wales since 2016, when the two-child limit policy was implemented.

In Putney, families are increasingly relying on food banks. The Wandsworth Foodbank and Little Village have indicated that scrapping the two-child limit would be crucial in reducing poverty locally.

The two-child rule has become normalised and accepted, but it remains a burden on families. The author shares his personal experience of growing up as one of seven children in the 1970s when social provisions were more comprehensive and supportive. He highlights that Wales has a high rate of child poverty at 31%, with 570 households affected by the two-child limit in Gwynedd alone. The Welsh Affairs Committee's report on the benefits system raised concerns about the policy. He questioned the actual impact of the two-child limit and asked whether it had no effect or if its effects have been mitigated. He also inquired about the consequences for children in families affected by this policy.

The Government's austerity agenda has led to a cost of living crisis and rampant poverty, with children going hungry in constituencies due to policies such as the two-child benefit cap.

Enforcing the rule may create a human rights issue for those who do not want to be under it, highlighting the need to consider faith and human rights within this debate. Jim Shannon supported the comments made by Alison Thewliss, highlighting that the London School of Economics' research showed that the two-child limit policy had only a small impact on fertility but significantly reduced incomes and increased child poverty. He expressed concern over the moral implications of the policy leading to abortions due to financial constraints. Shannon also cited data showing 1.1 million children affected by the limit, with the number expected to grow as nearly all low-income families with three or more children become subject to it.

I congratulate the hon. Lady on making a very powerful case during her speech. However, ultimately, has she come to the position that I have, in my political life, that a just and fair economy and society for Wales will never be created by Westminster? The only solution for us is to take control of those powers ourselves.

Karen Buck criticised the Government's two-child policy, arguing it fails to address child poverty and imposes a moral imperative on society. She highlighted that as of April last year, 317,500 families and over a million children were affected by the policy. Buck emphasised that nearly half of all families receive tax credits or universal credit, questioning the Government's rationale for the policy. She also noted that since the pandemic, even the Government recognises the unpredictability of whether a family will rely on social security benefits. She sought confirmation from the Minister that he accepts her earlier point indicating a significant rise in absolute poverty among families with three or more children.

The requirement for victims of non-consensual conception to prove their case through a conviction or criminal injuries compensation claim further victimises those who already suffer from low rape conviction rates. Does the hon. Lady agree that following the Government's decision to cut universal credit payments, with inflation rates rising astronomically and a real cost of living crisis, a decision to keep the two-child limit is actively pushing children below the poverty line, which will undoubtedly impact on the UK's levels of social mobility? Asked Hywel Williams whether he agreed that Ministers must engage with charities and organisations to understand the real impact of policies such as the two-child limit, pointing out research by the New Field Foundation indicating that it does not discourage families from having more children but worsens their financial situation.

Since the start of the covid pandemic, 27% more families now fall under the two-child limit policy. The Bishop of Manchester has described this policy as defying moral justification.