Murray backs Lib Dem two child benefit cap parliamentary motion

Susan Murray, MP for Mid Dunbartonshire, has backed a Lib Dem Parliamentary motion calling on the Government to remove the two-child limit on social payments in the first Budget. The motion was tabled by Liberal Democrat Work and Pensions spokesperson Wendy Chamberlain.

Statistics from the Department of Work and Pensions state that 1.6 million children are affected by the two-child benefit cap. The cap also imposed employment barriers on parents who have less income available for childcare costs as a result.

The Liberal Democrats urge the Government to announce the removal of the cap in the first Budget. Lifting the cap is the most cost-effective way of immediately lifting 300,000 of children out of poverty, while helping to make costs more manageable for parents.

Full text of Parliamentary Motion below:

That this House believes no child should grow up without adequate food, a warm home or security for their future; notes the Department for Work and Pensions' April 2024 statistics which state that 1.6 million children are affected by the two-child benefit cap; further notes that parents subject to the cap have less income available for childcare costs and therefore experience barriers to employment; recognises that removing this cap is the most cost-effective way of immediately lifting children out of poverty and deep poverty; and urges the Chancellor of the Exchequer to remove the two-child limit on social security payments in her first Budget.