Amid Criticism, Sir Keir Starmer Launches Poverty Taskforce While Maintaining Controversial Child Benefit Cap

Criticism mounts as Sir Keir Starmer retains child benefit limit; government introduces new taskforce on poverty

Before their initial meeting, ministers responsible for addressing child poverty are being urged to eliminate the restriction on child benefits to two children.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Wednesday, July 17, 2024, 10:

The administration has initiated a team dedicated to addressing child poverty after facing backlash for not mentioning the elimination of the two-child benefit limit in the King’s Speech.

Despite this action, it might not prevent Labour MPs from dissenting should an amendment be brought forward, as veteran MP John McDonnell expressed to Sky News that the initiative is "a step forward but not sufficient."

Politics Update: Starmer Promises 'National Renewal' in Debate with Sunak Following the King's Speech

The child limit policy, implemented by the Conservative party in 2017, restricts parents from receiving Universal Credit or child tax credits for a third child, with few exceptions.

Critics argue that it is causing an increase in child poverty rates, as families with more children miss out on approximately £3,200 annually for each additional child.

Sir Keir Starmer has withstood calls from certain members of his party to eliminate the cap, maintaining it in his King's Speech, which focuses on stimulating economic expansion through initiatives such as increasing housing construction and bringing railways under government ownership.

In response to their worries, he has initiated a child poverty taskforce aimed at developing a comprehensive plan to combat the fundamental issues causing the crisis.

Further Coverage on Labour Issues

First-time Disclosure of the Number of Children with Incarcerated Parents in England and Wales

Starmer Draws European Attention

Starmer announces the start of a 'new approach' to Europe at Blenheim Palace meeting, concentrating on issues related to Putin and human trafficking.

Associated Subjects:

It is recommended to utilize the Chrome browser for an enhanced video player experience.

The announcement does not reference any advantages.

The government announced that the taskforce will be led by the Secretary of Work and Pensions and the Secretary of Education. They will explore how factors like household income, employment, housing, health, childcare, and education can enhance children's opportunities and quality of life.

Mr. McDonnell expressed measured approval of the taskforce, yet he indicated that this wouldn't deter him from possibly supporting a measure to terminate the "harsh" two-child rule.

He informed Sky News, "It seems quite likely that the focus will be on the two-child policy. Now, we need to know when the taskforce will convene and deliver their findings on this issue.

"This is viewed as progress, yet it's perceived as insufficient and slow concerning the particular matter of the two-child limit."

The ex-shadow chancellor indicated he would probably support an SNP motion to eliminate the limit, provided the phrasing was acceptable.

"He emphasized his commitment to voting against this harsh legislation whenever possible."

Mr. McDonnell is one of numerous Labour MPs urging Sir Keir to reconsider his stance on the two-child limit.

Ian Byrne, a colleague, described the taskforce as "positive" and emphasized the significant effects of policy changes, stating, "With 43% of children living in poverty, it's clear from all agencies fighting child poverty that eliminating the two-child limit and instituting a Right to Food would immediately and substantially reduce the poverty and hunger prevalent throughout the UK."

Kim Johnson, the Labour representative for Riverside in Liverpool, has announced her intention to propose an amendment to the King's Speech that seeks to eliminate the cap, a move that her colleague and fellow progressive, Zarah Sultana, has expressed support for.

The Scottish National Party has expressed its intention to propose an amendment concerning the matter. Additionally, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, Reform UK, and independents such as ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn are also against the cap.

Mr. Corbyn raised concerns about the amount of funds allocated to the taskforce, suggesting that the money might have been better utilized by directly removing the cap.

"He believes that if the authorities assume such weak political maneuvers will grant them peace, they are deeply mistaken," he stated.

Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, is vested with the authority to choose amendments. This selection will occur next week during the parliamentary discussion on the King's Speech.

Further Reading: Highlights of the Monarch's Address: No Mention of Lowering Voting Age to 16 in Royal Speech

Sir Keir's substantial majority allows him to comfortably withstand substantial dissent from within his own ranks, as well as from votes by opposition parties.

However, facing dissent among his own party members shortly after establishing his administration would be a source of embarrassment for the new prime who has just taken office.

Addressing Parliament, Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader at Westminster, questioned the number of children who will continue to suffer from poverty while the taskforce conducts its studies, only to potentially arrive at the same recommendation that they advocate for: abolishing the two-child limit on benefits.

In response, the prime minister acknowledged that the benefit cap was a concern "throughout the entire parliament" and stated that the purpose of the taskforce "is to develop a plan, similar to our previous efforts while in government, to reduce the [number of children living in poverty]".

Previously, he expressed a desire to eliminate the two-child restriction if circumstances were perfect, but noted that financial constraints made this unfeasible.

According to the Resolution Foundation, removing the limit on benefits for families with more than two children could incur an expense ranging from £2.5 billion to £3.6 billion in the fiscal year 2024/25. The think tank highlighted that these costs are relatively minor when considering the damage inflicted by the current policy.

The organization Child Poverty Action Group has stated that the cap significantly contributes to increasing child poverty more than any other initiative, urging that it be eliminated in the upcoming budget.

Associated Subjects

Footer of Sky News

Information on Sky News

Services Provided by Sky News

Sky Broadcasting Options

Additional Sky Websites