A Call to Action for Scottish MPs
The ongoing debate surrounding the two-child benefit cap has highlighted its severe impact on families across Scotland. The policy, originally introduced under austerity measures, continues to push thousands of children into poverty. Now, the Labour government faces a crucial opportunity to reverse this harmful policy and fulfill their promise to deliver meaningful change to the people of Scotland.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves had the chance to scrap the two-child cap in the recent King’s Speech. However, they chose to maintain the policy despite its detrimental effects on children and families. This decision raises serious questions about the Labour Party’s commitment to ending child poverty, a goal that should be at the forefront of any progressive government’s agenda.
New analysis commissioned by the SNP reveals that an estimated 87,100 children in Scotland live in households affected by the two-child cap, with a staggering total of 1.5 million children impacted across the UK. The financial burden on these families is immense. For families with three children, the cap costs approximately £287.92 per month or £3,455 per year. This means that some of the poorest families in Scotland have collectively lost £454.8 million in financial support since the policy’s introduction in 2017/18. Across the UK, low-income families have lost over £8 billion.
The upcoming vote on the SNP’s amendment to scrap the two-child cap presents a clear choice for Scottish Labour MPs. They can either vote to lift children out of poverty or continue to uphold a policy that exacerbates it. Anas Sarwar, leader of the Scottish Labour Party, has publicly stated that the cap should be abolished. Now, it is time for his MPs to back this position with action.
From an economic standpoint, removing the two-child benefit cap makes sense. The £3 billion required to abolish the policy could be viewed as a stimulus package, injecting much-needed funds into the economy during a cost-of-living crisis. Every penny of this support would go directly to families who need it most, helping to alleviate poverty and stimulate economic activity.
The SNP is committed to holding the Labour government accountable. They promised to stand up for Scotland’s values and ensure that the Labour Party delivers on its promises. The decision to maintain the two-child benefit cap is a test of the Labour Party’s priorities. It is a test that they have failed, but there is still an opportunity for Scottish Labour MPs to take a stand and vote for the SNP amendment.
The Labour government has a chance to demonstrate its commitment to ending child poverty by scrapping the two-child benefit cap. Scottish Labour MPs must put their money where their mouth is and support the SNP amendment. By doing so, they can take a significant step towards eradicating child poverty and delivering the change that the people of Scotland were promised.
