Six Labour Members of Parliament who were previously suspended due to their opposition to the two-child benefit limit have united in urging Rachel Reeves to completely eliminate the “harsh” policy. In a joint communication to the Chancellor in anticipation of the upcoming Budget, they argued that the Labour administration cannot morally defend the continuation of the policy and that its removal would demonstrate a genuine commitment to addressing the widespread financial struggles faced by numerous families.

The letter, signed by MPs including John McDonnell, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Ian Byrne, Apsana Begum, Richard Burgon, and Imran Hussain, emphasized the detrimental impact of the two-child benefit limit on children, labeling it as unjustifiable under a Labour government. The MPs highlighted the urgent need to abolish the policy, citing its role in pushing over 100 children into poverty daily.

The mounting pressure on Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves to reconsider the policy, initially introduced by former Chancellor George Osborne nearly a decade ago, is intensifying. This restriction limits Child Tax Credits and Universal Credit to the first two children in a family, resulting in criticism from charities for exacerbating child poverty.

The impending release of the government’s child poverty review alongside the Budget is expected to unveil recommendations concerning the two-child benefit limit. The Resolution Foundation recently cautioned against partial measures, such as transitioning to a three-child limit or reducing child benefits for third and subsequent children, as they would likely maintain elevated levels of child poverty through the decade’s end.

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester and a vocal advocate for scrapping the policy, condemned the decision to withdraw the whip from MPs who opposed the government on this issue. Burnham expressed disappointment, recalling his time in previous Labour governments where individuals were not penalized for taking principled stances.

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