Abolition of two-child limit 'transformational for children'

Welcoming the Chancellor’s Budget announcement that the two-child limit will be removed from April, chief executive of Child Poverty Action Group Alison Garnham said:

'Scrapping the two-child limit will be transformational for children. This is a much-needed fresh start in our country’s efforts to eradicate child poverty and while there is more to do it gives us strong foundations to build on. Every child deserves the best start in life and with today’s decision government has done the right thing.'

Reactions from parents affected by the policy:

Shauna and her husband have three children. He works full time. She says:

'This will make a big difference because we’ve had to incur debts.  Hopefully it will mean I can cover the last bills that come in each month instead of being in the red.  I could buy a new mattress for two of my children.  They can feel the springs on the mattresses they’ve got that they’ve had for many years.'

Jo has four children. She says the extra money will help to pay for childcare enabling her to do extra work shifts.

'Support for each of my children would also mean they can have better quality food rather than always the cheapest. We are living breadline to breadline.' 

Child Poverty Action Group represents two mothers in their legal challenge against the rape clause in the two-child limit. One of the mothers, known to the court as ‘EFG’, has four children, the two eldest of whom were conceived through rape in a violent and coercive relationship that began when she was a teenager.* Responding to the lifting of the two-child limit, EFG says: 

'Finally, all of my children will be seen as equals in life and not just a number. My children will no longer be the children having to go without amongst their friends who come from smaller families. To make children suffer is morally wrong and should never have happened.'

Notes to editors:

Child poverty is at a record high and the two-child limit is the key driver. Scrapping the policy is the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty. 59% of families affected by the two-child limit have at least one working parent and most have three children. 

*Anonymity orders and reporting restrictions are in place for the two claimants and their children in this case. Pursuant to s.11 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981, there must be no publication of the identity of either Claimant or of any matter likely to lead to their identification in any report of, or otherwise in connection with, these proceedings. The claimants must be referred to orally and in writing, in place of their names, as LMN and EFG 

CPAG media contact: Jane Ahrends 07816 909302