The two child limit

Motion Text

That this House notes the publication of recent figures relating to the two child limit of Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits; understands that the two child limit prevents parents from claiming Child Tax Credit or Universal Credit for any third or subsequent child born after April 2017; observes that 421,660 households are now affected by this punitive policy; further notes that scrapping the policy would cost around £1.3 billion a year but would be targeted at lifting 250,000 children out of poverty, and reduce poverty for 850,000 more; further understands that poverty campaigners have argued that scrapping the limit is one of the most cost-effective ways of lifting children out of poverty; agrees that six years from the introduction of the two child limit it has been woefully unsuccessful in meeting its stated policy aim of making work pay, with 59% of those affected identified as in work; and expresses deep disappointment at the refusal of the two main parties in this Parliament to scrap this pernicious policy.