Pressure Mounts on PM Starmer as Labour Faces Internal Strife Over Two-Child Benefit Cap

Wes Streeting has asked for patience regarding the government's stance on the two-child benefit limit, as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confronts his initial revolt from rank-and-file MPs. There is increasing pressure from MPs, including those in Labour, for Sir Keir Starmer to abolish the two-child benefit restriction. The government maintains that it lacks the financial resources to remove the cap.

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Thursday, July 11, 2024, 21:

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has appealed for public patience as the government faces challenges in funding all its desired policies.

His justification arises as increasing demands from Labour's backbenchers press the government to eliminate the two-child benefit limit, marking what could be the new prime minister's initial significant conflict within his party.

Approximately 1.6 million children are not receiving benefits they are eligible for because of the cap.

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The Conservative administration implemented a policy that restricts parents from receiving child tax credit or Universal Credit for more than two children if the children were born after April 2017.

According to the Resolution Foundation, families are missing out on approximately £3,200 annually for each additional child.

The recently appointed Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has advocated in the past for the elimination of the cap, although he now states that removing it is not financially feasible at this time.

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In a discussion on Sophy Ridge's Politics Hub, Mr. Streeting expressed his discomfort with the cap, noting that he had opposed it at the time of its introduction.

He mentioned that Liz Kendall, the Secretary of Work and Pensions, is rapidly advancing a comprehensive government strategy addressing child policy, reminiscent of the efforts made by the previous Labour administration.

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Mr. Streeting stated, "We previously declared that we would not make any promises before the election unless we were certain we could fulfill them and that the nation could afford them."

"I believe that individuals will need to show patience with the government across various areas while we attempt to address the significant problems created by the Conservatives."

Discover further: Additional 670,000 children to be affected by two-child limit in the upcoming five years. How will welfare policies evolve under a Labour administration?

John McDonnell, a leading figure in the Labour Party's Socialist Campaign Group (SCG) of backbench MPs, stands in opposition to the government's stance.

He additionally held the position of shadow chancellor when Jeremy Corbyn was the party leader.

Mr. McDonnell spoke to Times Radio, stating his intention to modify the budget should it fail to incorporate measures to eliminate the benefit cap.

However, the experienced legislator believes it won't reach that point.

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Kim Johnson, another member of the SCG, is also a critic from the Labour party.

Speaking to Sky News, she said: "However, I believe that removing the two-child limit on benefits should be a top priority for the incoming administration. It's the most efficient and effective method to quickly reduce child poverty nationwide, particularly in areas similar to my own."

"This policy enjoys widespread backing from various political groups, and it's hard to imagine a more pressing issue than this."

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The Liberal Democrats, Green Party, and SNP are all advocating for the removal of the cap, and Reform party leader Nigel Farage has publicly opposed it.

Any insurrection aimed at the government would probably require the backing of the Conservatives to stand a chance of defeating the administration.

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