A government minister has said they cannot commit to changes without knowing how they will be funded as pressure grows to remove the two-child benefit cap.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the new Labour government is committed to tackling child poverty but would not promise to remove the cap introduced by the Conservatives in 2015.
The cap means families can only receive child tax credits, which can be claimed by most parents or carers, or Universal Credit for their first two children.
The government is facing its first key test as pressure to lift the cap continues from its own MPs, former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown and MPs from other parties, including the Tory party.
However, Sir Keir Starmer and his ministers have so far refused to commit to lifting the cap, saying it will be looked at as part of a taskforce to tackle child poverty.
Ms Kendall told Sky News’ Breakfast with Kay Burley: “I am absolutely passionate about tackling child poverty.
“But we were elected promising that we would only make commitments when we show how we can fund them.
“We will look at [removing the two-child benefit cap] as part of this strategy but we have to show with any commitments how we will fund them.”
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Scrapping two-child benefit cap ‘considered’
MPs in the Commons are debating health announcements from the King’s Speech today after King Charles outlined the new Labour government’s plans to parliament last week.
The government is facing four amendments, including one from seven Labour MPs, calling for the government to end the child benefit cap.
A YouGov poll released last week found six in 10 Britons support keeping the cap, however, 18-24-year-olds believe it should be scrapped.
Out of those who voted Labour in the latest general election, 50% think it should remain while 38% think it should be lifted.
Read more:
Starmer avoids committing to considering scrapping child benefit cap
Key King’s Speech announcements
Sir Keir Starmer faces the first test of his premiership
On Monday, Sir Keir avoided committing to look at scrapping the cap after Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told Sky News the government was “considering” it.
The PM said: “In relation to poverty, what the education secretary said this morning, I agree with what she said.
“She’s passionate about tackling poverty. And child poverty in particular.”
Pushed on whether he would look at removing the cap, he said he has set up the taskforce to tackle child poverty, adding: “There is no silver bullet.”
Over the weekend, Treasury minister James Murray defended keeping the cap, telling Sky News unfunded spending commitments crash the economy.