Mark Whitehead 01 August 2019

Nearly 600,000 children affected by two-child limit on benefits

Campaigners have called on the Government to lift the 'two child limit' for payment of benefits to families.

The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) says it is causing conflict between siblings and forcing families to cut down on essentials including food, medication, heating, clothing and after-school clubs.

It says 592,000 children in 161,000 families have been affected by the policy since it took effect two years ago.

Under the policy, the child allowance in universal credit and tax credits, worth £2,780 a year, is only paid for the first two children in a family.

CPAG says 1.8m children are likely to be affected by it by 2023.

The group's chief executive Alison Garnham said: 'Today’s figures are a grim reminder of the human cost of this nasty policy, which says that some children are more deserving than others purely on the basis of their birth order and mostly affects working families.

'In the UK we would never turn a third-born child away from school or hospital.

'How can it be right to deny the same young children the support they need to enjoy a childhood free from poverty when their family falls on hard times?'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Residential Assistant

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £25395.00 per annum
Residential AssistantPermanent, Full Time£25,081 up to £25,395 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Planning Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 11 £39,513 to £43,693 Grade 12 £42,708 to £46,731 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
Durham County Council is looking for experienced and knowledgeable Senior Planning Officers to join our vibrant Development Management team. Our team Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Head of Service – Social Care

Wrexham County Borough Council
G15 £63,148 - £67,058 per annum
There is an exciting opportunity within Children Social Care to join the senior management team Wrexham (Wrecsam)
Recuriter: Wrexham County Borough Council

Head of Service Social Work & Specialist Support

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Grade M scp 60 £72,118 - scp 64 £77,293
There couldn’t be a more exciting time to join us. Blackburn, Lancashire
Recuriter: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Cafe Assistant - Weald Country Park

Essex County Council
Up to £13.3000 per hour
Café Assistant (Weald Country Park)Contract
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner