Starmer delays flagship child poverty policy leaving tens of thousands on the brink
Flagship child poverty policy delayed by Starmer
- Labour has delayed its plan to cut child poverty until the autumn, sparking concerns and potential backbench rebellion over welfare cuts.
- The delay coincides with budget timings, raising hopes ministers might abolish the two-child benefit cap, which affects over 1.6 million children and is criticised for increasing child poverty.
- New costings from the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) reveal that the two-child limit pushes an additional 109 children into poverty each day, with the number affected projected to rise until 2035.
- Anti-poverty campaigner Lord John Bird criticised the delay, stating child poverty is forecast to rise under the Labour government, while the Trussell Trust suggested a delayed strategy with stronger measures is preferable to a rushed, inadequate one.
- The government insists it is committed to reducing child poverty through various measures, including expanding free breakfast clubs, capping school uniform costs, and increasing the national minimum wage.