Labour’s adoption of two-child limit policy a ‘moral failure’ – Plaid Cymru

Two-child limit introduced by Tories seven years ago today

On the seventh anniversary of the introduction of the two-child limit, Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts MP, has reiterated her party’s opposition to the policy, which she described as “heartless” and “punitive”.

On 6 April 2017, the two-child limit policy introduced by the Conservative UK Government came into force. It meant that any parents having a third or subsequent child after that date would not qualify for additional support through child tax credit or universal credit.

The Labour leader Keir Starmer confirmed in July 2023 that a Labour government would keep the two-child limit. Ms Saville Roberts described Labour’s decision to adopt the policy as a “moral failure”.

Under the policy, parents with three or more children are denied £3,235 per year per child compared with families who have a third or subsequent child born before that date.

More than 65,000 children in Wales are affected by the two-child limit, 11% of all children.

Scrapping the policy would lift at least 250,000 children out of poverty across the UK, with an additional 850,000 children experiencing reduced poverty levels, according to the Child Poverty Action Group. Liz Saville Roberts said her party would “invest in our children, not punish them.”

The UK is unique in its policy compared to other European nations. No other European country limits support to two children, with most either providing equal benefits for all children or offer more support per child as family size increases. Spain, Romania, and Cyprus limit support to three or four children.

Liz Saville Roberts MP said:

"Today marks seven years since the introduction of the two-child benefit cap, a cruel and punitive policy that has dragged innocent children into deep poverty through no fault of their own.

“Labour's decision to adopt this heartless Tory policy is a betrayal of families across Wales and the rest of the UK. Both Westminster parties are happy to punish children simply for having brothers and sisters. It isn’t just ineffective policymaking; it's a moral failure.

“Plaid Cymru envisions a Wales where every child thrives, but with 65,000 children in Wales feeling the crushing weight of this regressive measure, it's clear we have a long road ahead. Ahead of the Westminster election, Plaid Cymru is clear: we would scrap the two-child limit and invest in our children, not punish them. Today, we urge the Westminster parties to change course and scrap this policy once and for all.”