Derry anti-poverty worker brands two-child benefit cap scrappage ‘huge victory’ that is long overdue
The lifting of the two-child benefit cap has been hailed a ‘huge victory’ for families by anti-poverty workers in Derry.
The Foyle Network Foundation said the British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves' announcement in her Budget 2025 that she was lifting the controversial limit was ‘long overdue’.
The introduction of the two-child cap on Universal Credit and Tax Credits eight years ago has prevented parents with a third child born on or after April 2017 from claiming extra support.
Karen Mullan, Director of Foyle Network Foundation, said: “The two-child limit has driven countless families into severe hardship and poverty, with many forced to turn to food banks to survive.
“Ending this cruel policy is a massive win for families here and across these islands.”
Sinn Fein MLA Ciara Ferguson described the cap as ‘a particularly cruel example of British Austerity’.
“The impact of this measure has been to push thousands of families and children into poverty, and steal from them many of the opportunities which they needed to succeed,” she said.
In her Budget on Wednesday Ms. Reeves confirmed she will fund the NI Executive to remove the two child limit for families should it choose to do so, as welfare is a devolved matter.
Ms. Mullan said it is an imperative.
“We’ve seen parents skipping meals, children going without essentials, and households overwhelmed by the rising cost of living. For families doing everything they can but still falling short, this change will finally bring some much-needed relief.
“Every single day we support parents who are stretched beyond breaking point. No family should be pushed to that edge,” she added.