‘The most powerful ‘change’ would be to scrap the two-child limit’

Ann Davies MP says policy has ‘devastating impact’ on children in Carmarthenshire

Plaid Cymru’s Work and Pensions spokesperson, Ann Davies MP, has today (Friday 12 July) called on the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, to deliver on his promise of ‘change’ by ending the two-child benefit cap, a policy that has left millions of children across the UK in poverty.

Ms Davies pointed out that more than 65,000 children in Wales are affected by the two-child limit, 11% of all children.

The two-child limit affects families entitled to benefits who have had a third or subsequent child after 6 April 2017. These parents are denied £3,235 per year per child compared with families who have a third or subsequent child born before that date.

Ms Davies said that the King’s Speech next week would be the Prime Minister’s “opportunity to show that change under Labour means more than just words”.

Plaid Cymru’s Work and Pensions spokesperson and MP for Caerfyrddin, Ann Davies said:

“Keir Starmer won the General Election on a simple message of change. The most powerful change he could enact to lift millions of children out of poverty across the UK would be to end the cruel two-child benefit cap.

“As the joint owner of a children’s nursery, I have seen the devastating impact of child poverty on families in Carmarthenshire. Children should not be punished simply for having brothers and sisters – and it is deeply disappointing that Labour is deciding to continue with this regressive Tory policy.

“Plaid Cymru aims to build 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. Next week’s King’s Speech is the Prime Minister’s opportunity to show that change under Labour means more than just words. Plaid Cymru urge the Labour UK Government to scrap the two-child limit and invest in our children’s futures.”