Our response to lifting the two-child limit

Responding to the announcements, Helen Barnard, Director of Policy at Trussell said:

“Trussell is delighted to see the chancellor take this bold step which will protect hundreds of thousands of children from growing up facing hunger and hardship. She has listened to the families and food banks across the UK who have been imploring her to act.  

“The cruel two-child limit has driven countless families into hardship, forced to turn to food banks to survive. Today’s announcement of its full and swift removal will help ensure all our children have the best possible start in life, ease pressure on public services, and help to boost our economy.    

“This government came to power promising to end the need for emergency food and reduce child poverty. Removing the two-child limit will make a vital and significant contribution towards delivering on those manifesto commitments.  

“This move will pull 470,000 children out of severe hunger and hardship by 2027 and ease pressure on food banks throughout the UK.  

“The government has built on positive steps in strengthening support for people facing severe hunger and hardship. But this cannot be the end. Food bank need remains well above levels five years ago and many people are still struggling to afford the essentials. We need more bold choices to transform lives across our communities.” 

Further background:

Trussell’s modelling found that removing the two-child limit is one of the most effective changes the UK government can make in terms of reducing the number of children facing hunger and hardship. Removing it in full will lift 670,000 people out of severe hardship, including 470,000 children by 2027.  This represents a 7% decrease in the number of people and a 15% decrease in the number of children expected to face hunger and hardship. It will help ensure all our children have a fair chance of success in life and benefit the economy and public purse by around £3.1 billion per year through relieving pressure on public services, supporting people to find and sustain work, and by increasing tax revenue.