Reform UK’s proposal to revoke recent laws and reinstate the two-child benefit restriction has elicited a stark caution from Gordon Brown.
The ex-Prime Minister stated that Keir Starmer’s effort to alleviate child poverty is materializing with the upcoming end of the contentious two-child benefit cap. This policy is set to be officially abolished in April, lifting nearly 500,000 children out of poverty.
In a change of stance, Nigel Farage declared that the limit would be reinstated in full if his party gains power. Gordon Brown, in an article for The Mirror, cautioned that Reform would plunge children back into poverty if they come into authority.
Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, revealed the decision to scrap the policy, which limits families from receiving Universal Credit for more than two children, during last year’s Budget. Approximately 1.7 million children are affected by this policy, and the government projects that its abolition will uplift around 450,000 children out of poverty by 2030.
Prior to a crucial by-election in Gorton and Denton on Thursday, Brown emphasized that over 6,000 children in the Greater Manchester area will benefit from eliminating this harsh measure.
The former PM from 2007 to 2010 remarked, “When voters participate in the Gorton and Denton by-election on Thursday, the future of over 6,000 local children is at stake. These are the youngsters who will see the benefits on April 1st from the removal of the despised two-child rule.”
He continued, “This by-election presents a choice: to aid children in escaping poverty with Labour’s excellent local candidate Angeliki Stogia or to revert to Tory-era poverty with Reform.”
Meanwhile, Labour is facing a tough battle to retain the seat against challenges from Reform UK and the Greens, who are intensifying their efforts in the region to potentially cause a significant political upset.
Labour’s candidate, Ms. Stogia, expressed to The Mirror, “My motivation to enter national politics stems from the opportunity to positively impact people’s lives. Through Labour’s decision to abolish the two-child cap, about 6,000 children in Gorton and Denton will be lifted out of poverty. This means fewer children going hungry or wearing last year’s uniform to school.”
