Ellie Ames 05 December 2024

Scottish Government pledges to scrap two-child benefit cap

Scottish Government pledges to scrap two-child benefit cap image
Image: cornfield / Shutterstock.com

The Scottish Government has announced plans to scrap Westminster’s ‘pernicious’ two-child cap on benefits.

Announcing Scotland’s Budget for the coming year yesterday, finance secretary Shona Robison said abolishing the cap would lift more than 15,000 of the nation’s youngsters out of poverty.

She pledged: ‘We will work as hard as possible in 2025 so we can start paying families as early as we can in 2026.

‘That is more than reasonable. But be in no doubt – the cap will be scrapped.’

The finance secretary stressed that the UK Government would need to cooperate, urging it to provide the relevant data from the Department for Work and Pensions.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimated that the plans would cost Scotland £250m a year, which it said would likely require tax rises or spending cuts elsewhere.

The two-child cap, which prevents parents on universal credit claiming benefit support for any third or subsequent children born after April 2027, has been branded the UK’s single biggest driver of child poverty by several charities and campaigners.

The principal policy adviser at charity Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Katie Schmuecker, said Scotland’s pledge to scrap the cap was ‘a positive recognition that this is a policy that increases poverty, leaving families cold and parents skipping meals to try to make budgets stretch’

‘Tough choices come down to priorities and UK Government ministers should pay close attention,’ she added.

Scotland's Budget documents also promised to progress plans to deliver fresh ‘revenue raising powers' for councils.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Part Time Legal Caseworker - Corporate and Commercial Law

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Legal Caseworker - Corporate and Commercial LawPermanent, Full Time£25,081 to £27,653 per annum, full time equivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Education Safeguarding Adviser

Essex County Council
£36375.0000 - £42794.0000 per annum
Education Safeguarding AdviserFixed Term, Full Time£36,375 to £42,794 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Enviro Crime and Enforcement Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
SO2 - £38,934 to £40,755
Make a real difference in your community Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

White Rose Forest Landscape for Water Project Officer

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£38,220 - £40,777
The role of Landscapes for Water Project Officer and the White Rose Forest Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Finance Manager

Durham County Council
£66,164 to £68,493 p.a. (Band 2)
Are you an experienced finance leader ready to take on a high-profile role at the heart of a major organisational and financial transformation?   Durh Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner