Stockport Liberal Democrats demand removal of cruel two child benefit cap

At last night’s full Council meeting, Stockport Liberal Democrats resolved to call on the Government to remove the two-child benefit cap, a measure widely seen as the quickest and most effective measure to lift thousands of children out of poverty.

Cllr Dan Oliver, said: “The End Child Poverty Coalition estimates removing the cap would lift 300,000 children out of poverty, whilst helping a further 800,000, yet leaving it in place by even just a year will mean 250,000 more children affected by it in 2025 (IFS). The Government must realise how urgent this is. This is a measure that would help millions in this country overnight, there is also no clear evidence that the cap has any positive effect on productivity in this country. The Stockport Liberal Democrats are clear that Sir Keir Starmer must change his mind and end this policy immediately .

The call is consistent with the Liberal Democrats manifesto in the 2024 General Election, but the new Labour Government have resisted against prioritising this measure, on the basis of “tough choices”.

Cllr Jilly Julian, Cabinet Member for Finance said: “For us the choice is very simple- the quickest and most cost-effective way of reducing child poverty is if the Government were to remove the cap. 8% of children in Stockport are impacted by the limit, to make it worse, any families that are affected missed out on £3,235 per child in 2023/24. As a Council, we do everything we can to alleviate the poverty we see in our borough, cruel policies such as this only make the task harder.”