1.6 million children affected by the two-child limit
- Charity calls on government for ‘action not words’
DWP figures out today show 1.6 million (1 in 9) children are affected by the two-child limit. 62 per cent of affected families have three children, and 59 per cent of affected families are working.
Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) estimates that the policy has pulled 350,000 children into poverty, and pushed 700,000 children into deeper poverty. 109 children are being pushed into poverty each day, as the policy affects ever more children born since its inception in 2017.
Chief executive of Child Poverty Action Group Alison Garnham said:
'Government’s moral mission to tackle child poverty will make our country a better, stronger place, but families urgently need action not just words. The two-child limit pulls over a hundred more kids into poverty every day, making their lives hard and their futures bleak. Giving all kids the best start in life will be impossible until government scraps this brutal policy - and a year after the election families can’t wait any longer for the help they desperately need.'
Families subject to the two-child limit said:
'I am having to ration food in the house to afford baby milk. My bills have gone up and I cannot always afford to pay them on time, so I am having to ask family to help.'
Couple with three children, working household (at least one parent in full-time work)
'I would like them [my children] to learn how to swim, but it is too expensive. The eldest is currently learning, but the second can't start.'
Couple with three children, working household (at least one parent in full-time work)
'I work full time in an ok paid job, living is extremely expensive these days and the lack of help and support is plunging me into debt, and we cannot afford the basic costs of living, clothing. We don’t have any holidays or luxuries because I only receive help for two of my children.'
Single parent in full-time work.
'I can’t work as I am disabled. My children’s father died suddenly so I had to claim benefits for my three children....I don’t get any benefits for my youngest child and it is so hard to budget as little ones grow up quickly and do cost money. Money is tight.'
Single parent of four children, not in work
Notes to editors:
CPAG spokespeople are available.
Today’s DWP statistics on the number of children affected by the two-child limit are here. The statistics in this PR focus on households who do not receive the child element in universal credit and therefore may differ slightly from the DWP’s headline figures which includes households who are exempt from the policy. There are a limited number of situations where families are entitled to an exception, including multiple births, and non-consensual conception.
The two-child limit denies child allowances in universal credit (UC) worth up to £3,514 a year to third or subsequent children born after April 2017. Abolishing the two-child limit is the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty which is at a record high. Removing the policy would lift 350,000 children out of poverty and mean 700,000 children are in less deep poverty, making a significant difference to the lives of over a million children at a cost of £2 billion.
CPAG press office: 07816 909302