“It’s time to scrap the two-child benefit cap” says Liverpool Lib Dem Leader

12 Jul 2024
Cllr Carl Cashman

Liverpool’s Lib Dem boss, Cllr Carl Cashman, is wasting no time in holding the new Labour Government to account – the first issue, scrapping the two-child benefit cap.

The Liverpool Liberal Democrat Group have put forward a motion about scrapping the two-child benefit cap before the full council meeting on July 24th. The Two Child limit to benefit payments was introduced by the Conservative Government in 2017 – preventing families from claiming Child Tax Credit or Universal Credit for more than 2 children in the household.

The Liberal Democrats have consistently opposed the two-child benefit cap since it was introduced – calling for it to be axed in their 2017, 2019 and 2024 manifestos. On the other hand, in the recent General Election Labour failed to commit to scrapping it.

The motion highlights the research from the End Child Poverty Coalition. In Liverpool, children in 7,820 households are currently affected by the two-child benefit cap – that is 15% of all children in the city. At the same time 36,840 children in Liverpool are living in poverty.

The motion calls for the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister, Chancellor and local MPs asking them to support the campaign to scrap the two-child benefit cap. Also, to provide additional support for families affected by the two-child benefit cap in Liverpool.

Councillor Cashman said, “We’ve finally put an end to 14 years of the Conservatives in power in Westminster – it’s time to start undoing the harm that they’ve done to this country, it’s time to scrap the two-child benefit cap. In Liverpool, there’s over 7,800 households affected by the cap and nearly 37,000 children are living in poverty. Scrapping it would make a huge difference to families struggling across our city.

“I’m sure that the Labour Party are getting giddy with excitement to bring up the coalition again. But that’s not what the council should be about, we should be working hard to stand up for our residents. We’ve had a lot of talk from Labour about what they’d do differently and the improvements they’d make if they were in charge – they are in the spotlight now, it’s time for them to deliver.  

“We are in the cost-of-living crisis, and this is an important first step that the Government can take to supporting those in society who need it the most. Nationally, the Liberal Democrats have consistently opposed the two-child benefit cap and called for it to be scrapped. On the City Council, the Lib Dems introduced and have continually fought to protect and increase funding for the benefit maximisation team to provide additional support for the poorest and most vulnerable in society. I truly hope that Labour won’t try to use this motion to score cheap political points like they did with our motion on St John’s Market.

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