Flagship child poverty policy delayed by Starmer
Labour has delayed its plan to cut child poverty until the autumn, sparking concerns and potential backbench rebellion over welfare cuts.
The delay coincides with budget timings, raising hopes ministers might abolish the two-child benefit cap, which affects over 1.6 million children and is criticised for increasing child poverty.
New costings from the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) reveal that the two-child limit pushes an additional 109 children into poverty each day, with the number affected projected to rise until 2035.
Anti-poverty campaigner Lord John Bird criticised the delay, stating child poverty is forecast to rise under the Labour government, while the Trussell Trust suggested a delayed strategy with stronger measures is preferable to a rushed, inadequate one.
The government insists it is committed to reducing child poverty through various measures, including expanding free breakfast clubs, capping school uniform costs, and increasing the national minimum wage.
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