Labour’s Wes Streeting Supports Archbishop’s Call to End Two-Child Benefit Cap Amidst Political Controversy

Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting has expressed support for the Archbishop of Canterbury's plea to abolish the two-child limit on benefits. Streeting commended Justin Welby for his efforts in encouraging both Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer to eliminate the restriction, stating that it is part of Welby's role to "signal virtue."

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Sunday, May 19, 2024, 1:

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The Shadow Secretary of Health from the Labour Party expressed his approval for the Archbishop of Canterbury's appeal to the incumbent government and Sir Keir Starmer to abolish the two-child limit on benefits.

Wes Streeting, raised on welfare, expressed deep respect for Justin Welby's views, interpreting his call as a reflection of "Christianity's core mission to combat injustice."

Speaai-allcreator.com">king to Trevor Phillips on Sky’s Sunday Morning, he said, "I truly appreciate the Archbishop of Canterbury stepping in."

Under a Labour government, you won't see politicians being dispatched to criticize the Archbishop of Canterbury for virtue signaling, unlike what has happened under Conservative leadership.

"This is actually his responsibility – he is the sole individual in the nation tasked with promoting moral values. Moreover, if the Church's purpose isn't to reduce poverty and suffering, then it's unclear what else it could be."

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The archbishop, facing criticism from several Conservative MPs for allegedly bringing politics into his role, has urged Mr. Sunak and any future Labour administration to eliminate the restriction that bars parents from receiving child benefits for a third child or any additional children born after April 2017.

Mr. Welby expressed to The Observer that the two-child limit is "harsh" and does not reflect societal values, deeming it "immoral and unnecessary."

Sir Keir has upset several members of his party by his refusal to remove the cap, stating that he cannot promise to do so because of the "tough decisions" his party would need to make if they were elected.

Critics argue that the cap has driven families into poverty and that eliminating it could help approximately 270,000 families with children escape poverty. They estimate that this would cost around £1.4 billion in the first year.

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown had also made a similar statement before Mr. Welby spoke.

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He informed Sky News this week that UK children are experiencing "unprecedented levels of poverty," with essentials such as shampoo, soap, and toothpaste now seen as "luxury items."

Mr. Brown reiterated his demands for a comprehensive overhaul of Universal Credit, criticizing its failures, such as the two-child benefit limit initiated by the Conservatives in 2017.

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Wes Streeting conveyed to Trevor Phillips that he opposed the two-child cap at its inception, stating, "so by definition, I wish it wasn't there."

He reiterated the sentiments of his party leader, emphasizing that the current condition of government finances necessitates tougher decisions.

"Should we be elected in the upcoming general election, our administration will implement a comprehensive inter-departmental plan aimed not only at reducing child poverty but eradicating it entirely," Mr. Streeting declared.

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