A milestone is approaching next month as the number of children in working families impacted by the two-child limit is set to hit one million, prompting concerns from advocates about parents facing immense pressure.
Research conducted by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) using data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reveals that 59% of families affected by the two-child limit are employed, while a significant portion of those not affected are exempt due to having young children or facing health challenges.
For instance, a single parent with three children working full-time at minimum wage falls £4,500 below the poverty line due to the two-child limit. Eliminating this policy would reduce the shortfall to £1,000 annually.
Similarly, a couple with three children affected by the limit, where one parent works full-time and the other part-time at minimum wage, currently stands £2,000 below the poverty line. Without the restriction, they would be £1,500 above the poverty threshold.
Pressure mounts on the government to abolish the two-child limit as it prepares to unveil the child poverty strategy. Experts advocate for scrapping this policy, emphasizing its effectiveness in lifting 350,000 children out of poverty and alleviating financial hardship for many others, albeit at a cost of £2 billion.
CPAG’s Chief Executive, Alison Garnham, highlights the challenges faced by families juggling work, childcare, and financial obligations due to the two-child limit, stressing the urgent need for policy reform to prevent a rise in child poverty levels.
In response, a Government spokesperson emphasizes the commitment to addressing child poverty through initiatives like the Child Poverty Taskforce’s upcoming strategy, which aims to tackle the underlying causes of poverty. Investments in programs such as Best Start Family Hubs, free school meals expansion, and crisis support packages underscore the government’s efforts to ensure every child receives a quality start in life.