Early figures presented by Labour show the end of the cap will benefit 7,900 children in Waltham Forest, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter
Cutting the two-child benefit cap could help more than 23,000 children across north and east London, Labour figures show.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves announced an end to the cap next year, in the Autumn Budget on Wednesday (26th November).
The controversial policy, introduced by the Conservatives in 2017, means parents can only claim Universal Credit for their first two children.
It will cost around £3billion a year by 2029, and has been criticised by the Tories who have promoted family planning in line with personal finance.
Early figures presented by Labour show the policy will benefit 7,900 children in Waltham Forest , 8,700 children in Redbridge, 6,520 children in Havering – around 23,120 in total.
Waltham Forest Council leader Grace Williams said she supported the cap being lifted.
The Labour councillor said: “This council has long campaigned for the removal of the two-child benefit cap. Its removal will lift local children out of poverty and help support the poorest families in our community.”
Walthamstow Labour MP Stella Creasy said it would make a “life-changing difference” to many families in her constituency, and presented figures suggesting 3,850 children in Walthamstow will be helped.
Reeves said in a statement following the budget: “Every child deserves an equal chance to fulfil their potential and for every child that grows up in poverty, we all pay the price.
“When children go hungry and cold, talent goes to waste and we all lose out. That is why I’m proud that we will lift more children out of poverty in a single Parliament than any other since records began.”
The government says the move will lift around 450,000 children out of poverty by the end of the decade, but critics are sceptical of its economic impact.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said her party’s policy struck the balance between “supporting people who are struggling and protecting taxpayers who are struggling themselves”.
She added: “They are hiking taxes on workers, pensioners and savers to pay for handouts to keep their backbenchers quiet.”
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