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Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Full list of benefits not affected by two-child rule – as government mulls axing cap
PARENTS may still be eligible to claim thousands of pounds in support despite the two-child benefit cap, as pressure mounts on ministers to abolish the policy. Here is everything you need to know. Advertisement 1 Pressure is growing on the government over the two-child benefit cap Credit: Getty WHAT IS THE TWO CHILD CAP? The rule, which limits child-related payments in Universal Credit and to just two children per household, doesn't apply to all benefits. It means families with three or more kids may still be missing out on cash they're eligible for. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer yesterday refused to rule out scrapping the rule, which currently limits benefit payments to two children per household for Universal Credit and tax credits. It means that families can miss out on up to £3,455 a year for a third or later child born after April 2017. Advertisement The policy, introduced in a bid to keep welfare spending in check, has faced criticism from some MPs and campaigners. But scrapping the cap could cost the Treasury around £3billion annually, and would likely require new tax rises or spending cuts elsewhere to fund. Visiting a factory in Warrington, the PM said he was 'determined to drive down child poverty' but stopped short of making a firm commitment. Asked repeatedly whether the rule would go, Sir Keir said ministers were "looking at all options". Advertisement While the cap still applies to some benefits, others remain unaffected – and families may still be eligible for support depending on their circumstances. Here's the full breakdown. Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence CHILD BENEFIT This universal benefit is paid for every child, regardless of how many you have. £25.60 a week for the first child £16.95 a week for each additional child If you are claiming child benefit for a child under 12, you also receive National Insurance (NI) credits. Advertisement Child Benefit also comes with National Insurance credits, which count towards your State Pension. Note: If you or your partner earn over £60,000, you may be liable for the High Income Child Benefit Charge, which can reduce or eliminate the payment. How do I claim child benefits? APPLYING is straightforward and can be done in minutes at or through the HMRC app. Parents with a newborn baby should make a claim online as soon as possible and could then receive their first payment in as little as three days. You can also backdate claims for up to three months. Parents can make a claim and then choose to opt out of receiving Child Benefit payments can still receive National Insurance credits if one parent is not working. National Insurance credits build up your entitlement to the state pension. DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE (DLA) DLA is available for children under 16 who have disabilities and require extra care or mobility support. It's not affected by the two-child cap, and is worth £28.70 to £184.30 a week, depending on the level of need. Advertisement Once a child turns 16, they must apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead. PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENT (PIP) PIP is for people aged 16 to 64 with a long-term health condition or disability. It is not subject to the cap, and multiple eligible individuals can claim within the same household. The benefit is worth up to £184.30 a week for those entitled to both the daily living and mobility components. Advertisement GUARDIAN'S ALLOWANCE This benefit is for individuals raising a child whose parents have died. Paid at £21.75 a week per child Paid in addition to Child Benefit Unaffected by the two-child limit You must be claiming Child Benefit and meet the qualifying criteria around guardianship. ADOPTION ALLOWANCE Paid by local authorities, this benefit supports adoptive families who may face extra costs related to a child's care needs. There's no cap on how many adopted children can qualify, and payments vary depending on your financial circumstances and the child's needs. Advertisement LOCAL WELFARE SCHEMES These include support such as: Discretionary Housing Payments The Household Support Fund Free school meals These schemes are not restricted by the two-child cap, but eligibility and availability vary by council. UNIVERSAL CREDIT EXEMPTIONS While the child element of UC is capped, exceptions do exist, including: You have adopted them or other children in your household You receive guardian's allowance for them or other children in your household They are the second (or more) child born in a multiple-birth They or other children in your household are the offspring of one of your children who is under 16 years old They or other children in your household are not your child or stepchild, and you look after them under a court order They or other children in your household are not your child or stepchild and you look after them under an arrangement with Social Services (except for formal foster care) They were conceived as a result of rape, and you do not live with the perpetrator As the government continues to review the policy, no final decision has been made — but for now, these benefits remain available outside the cap. Advertisement To check if you're eligible, visit or speak to an independent benefits advisor. Who's exempt from the two-child benefit cap? The two-child benefit cap means that you can only get more child tax credit or Universal Credit for your third (or more) child if: They were born before April 6, 2017 They are disabled (disabled child element only) You qualify for an exception in child tax credit or special circumstances apply in Universal Credit You qualify for an exception or special circumstances for each third (or subsequent) child if: You have adopted them or other children in your household You receive guardian's allowance for them or other children in your household They are the second (or more) child born in a multiple-birth They or other children in your household are the offspring of one of your children who is under 16 years old They or other children in your household are not your child or stepchild, and you look after them under a court order They or other children in your household are not your child or stepchild and you look after them under an arrangement with Social Services (except for formal foster care) They were conceived as a result of rape, and you do not live with the perpetrator Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Manipur Governor reviews conditions of displaced persons amid ongoing ethnic violence
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla reviewed the overall conditions of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) residing in various relief camps in the hills and the valley districts of Manipur. While chairing the meeting held at the conference hall of Raj Bhavan, Imphal, Governor along with Chief Secretary, Principal Secretaries, Commissioners, Administrative Secretaries and Deputy Commissioners of all the districts, discussed the status with respect to the livelihood, skill development, medical support and education of the IDPs. The Deputy Commissioners gave a comprehensive briefing on several key initiatives taken up for the IDPs. Governor commended the efforts made and instructed the officials to enhance their initiatives. In Manipur, at least 258 people have been killed and over a thousand people injured in the ethnic violence between the tribal Kuki-Zo and the non-tribal Meitei people since May 3, 2023. More than 60,000 people have been displaced from their homes and villages who are staying in relief camps in different districts. The ethnic violence between the non-tribals Meiteis and tribal Kuki-Zo broke out in the northeastern state on May 3, 2023, after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Governor also chaired a meeting to review the flood related preparedness in the state. During the meeting, the Governor reviewed the overall preparedness with the stakeholders and agencies such as Water Resources Department, Relief & Disaster Management, MAHUD, PWD, Forest, CAF&PD and the Deputy Commissioners regarding their role and preparedness to control and mitigate floods. He also reviewed the drainage management system in crucial locations that are important in flood management. Representatives of NHPC also attended the meeting. Governor directed the stakeholders to exert their utmost efforts and ensure that effective measures are implemented to manage flood control.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Thousands of workers get £7.4million after being underpaid by bosses
The employers and businesses named today have since paid back what they owe to their staff and faced financial penalties of up to 200% of their underpayment Thousands of workers who have been left out of pocket will be repaid over £7.4million. It comes following investigations by HMRC, which concluded between 2015 and 2022, found 518 employers and business had underpaid nearly 60,000 members of staff. The employers and businesses have since paid back what they owe to their staff and faced financial penalties of up to 200% of their underpayment. It comes after minimum wage rose by 6.7% in April this year. The minimum wage for workers aged 21 and over has risen from £11.44 an hour to £12.21 an hour, from £8.60 an hour to £10 an hour for those aged 18 to 20, and from £6.40 an hour to £7.55 an hour for under-18s and apprentices. Get the best deals and tips from Mirror Money This follows a significant uplift to the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage - putting £1,400 into the pockets of full-time workers on NLW and supporting millions of families across the country - as well as the biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation under the Employment Rights Bill. Minister for Employment Rights, Justin Madders said: 'There is no excuse for employers to undercut their workers, and we will continue to name companies who break the law and don't pay their employees what they are owed. 'Ensuring workers have the support they need and making sure they receive a fair day's pay for a fair day's work is a key commitment in our Plan for Change. This will put more money in working people's pockets, helping to boost productivity and ending low pay.' Baroness Philippa Stroud, Chair of the Low Pay Commission, said: 'We welcome today's publication. Underpayment leaves workers out of pocket and disadvantages the majority of employers who do abide by the rules. 'These naming rounds play an important part in ensuring that all workers receive their full wages and that they are aware there is support for them to ensure that they do.' What to do if you've been underpaid To see if you've been underpaid, you should start by going through your payslips and checking them against the minimum rates. If you think you haven't been paid enough, you should first talk to your employer to give them the chance to rectify the situation. If this doesn't solve the problem, you can complain to HMRC through They'll then investigate your complaint and if you have been underpaid, you'll get the money back that you're due. If HMRC find that the employer has not paid, they will send them a notice for the arrears plus a fine for not paying the minimum wage. HMRC can take them to court on behalf of the worker if the employer still refuses to pay. Another way to complain about being underpaid is via the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) pay and work rights helpline on 0300 123 1100.
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Alberta government travel spending increased by nearly $1 million in 2024
Alberta's cabinet ministers and political staff spent significantly more on airfare, hotels and other travel costs last year compared to 2023, according to an analysis of government expense disclosures. The IJF analyzed over 60,000 expense claims from the previous two fiscal years. In 2024-25, Alberta government ministries spent $4.41 million on travel and hospitality, a 28 per cent increase over the $3.45 million expensed in 2023-24. Nearly 40 per cent of this increase comes from trips taken by cabinet ministers, top ministerial bureaucrats and their office staff. Ministerial office expenses related to travel totalled $1.84 million last year, up about $362,000 from 2023-24. Cabinet ministers alone racked up over $500,000 in travel expenses in 2024-25, 1.5 times more than the previous year. The highest spending members of cabinet include former minister of jobs, economy and trade Matt Jones, his successor Joseph Schow, Minister of Affordability and Utilities Nathan Neudorf and Premier Danielle Smith. The Alberta government's delegation to COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, was the single costliest international trip last year. Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schulz and five staff spent over $90,000 to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference in November 2024, including $58,535 for hotel accommodations. Other big-ticket items billed to taxpayers include $12,924 in airfare for Minister of Energy and Minerals Brian Jean's trip to the Japan Energy Summit and Exhibition and $10,925 for the premier's chief of staff Rob Anderson's flights to the United Arab Emirates. Smith's press secretary Sam Blackett told the IJF that travel is important for promoting Alberta's interests and building relationships. 'It also allows our government to engage with business leaders, investors and organizations, showcasing the province as an attractive place for investment, trade, and economic development,' Blackett said. 'On top of the ongoing trade dispute with the United States, we have a hostile federal government that does not align or support our provincial priorities. That's why it is more important now than ever that we are directly advocating for Alberta's interests.' University of Calgary political scientist Lisa Young said that with 2023 being an election year, 'politicians were very much staying close to home. They probably didn't want to be seen to be swanning around on the public dollar to the same extent. 'In 2024, we're far away from an election. And on top of that, you've got some fairly exceptional things going on internationally that might have driven at least some of the travel.' In the context of tariff threats and changing international trade relationships, the jump in travel spending by the premier's office and executive council or the trade ministry 'makes perfect sense,' Young said. Smith's brief visit to Mar-a-Lago in January to meet with then president-elect Donald Trump reportedly cost taxpayers more than $10,000 . The premier's mission to Washington, D.C., for Trump's inauguration eight days later, which included Smith and three other staff, came with a price tag of at least $15,800, according to public expense disclosures. There were 17 government ministries with travel expenditure increases of 25 per cent or more in 2024-25 compared to the previous year. While the increase in travel spending from the premier's office and the Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Trade were higher than most other departments, the largest year-over-year increase by dollar value, about $120,000, was reported by the Ministry of Health. 'The health spending actually is a bit of a head scratcher for me. I can't think of a particular reason why they would need to spend more money on travel in the health portfolio,' Young said. 'It's a very domestic kind of portfolio, and there's certainly lots going on here that you would think the minister and the minister's staff would be focused on.'
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
CAF Confederation Cup controversy: Venue dispute overshadows title decider
A CAF Confederation Cup final venue dispute has overshadowed the second leg between Simba of Tanzania and Renaissance Berkane of Morocco in the Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar on Sunday. Host Simba, which trails 2-0 after the first leg last weekend, wanted to stage the return match at the 60,000-seat Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. But an inspection of the national stadium in the Tanzanian commercial capital by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruled that it was unsuitable for the title decider. Instead, CAF ordered the second leg to be played at the Amaan Stadium, a 15,000-seater in Zanzibar, which is a three-hour ferry journey from Dar es Salaam. A popular tourist resort, Zanzibar is a Tanzanian archipelago off the coast of east Africa and consists of two main islands and many small ones. The origins of the venue dispute can be traced to Benjamin Mkapa Stadium last month where Simba beat Egyptian visitors Al Masry on penalties in a quarter-final after a 2-2 aggregate tie. A pitch littered with divots and muddy patches led to a poor football and CAF told Simba to move its semifinal against South African club Stellenbosch to Zanzibar. ALSO READ | From Man United to Naples — McTominay becomes a hero as Napoli wins Serie A title Ahead of the final, Simba owner Mo Dewji pleaded with CAF president Patrice Motsepe to allow Dar es Salaam host the second leg. CAF responded by thanking Tanzanian officials for their efforts to make Benjamin Mkapa Stadium a suitable venue, but stood by the decision to play the second leg in Zanzibar. 'Naturally, this outcome is disheartening, not only for Simba, but for our supporters. It does not feel fair,' Dewji then said in a statement. 'We will go to Zanzibar not by choice, but by duty. We will fulfil that duty with unity, purpose and pride. 'To our players I say -- walk into Amaan Stadium with your heads held high. Play with courage, clarity and composure, like the soldiers you are. 'The venue may have changed, but the lion (Simba) remains the same. Our mission is clear -- we go to Zanzibar ready to fight.' Berkane reportedly received a cool reception when they arrived in Zanzibar with a technical glitch at passport control forcing them to spend several hours at the airport. A spokesman for the Moroccan club told reporters the conditions were 'chaotic, unacceptable and unworthy of a continental competition of this level'. Berkane, which is seeking a record-equalling third Confederation Cup title after victories in 2020 and 2022, also said there was no formal welcome or logistical support from Simba. Goals from Senegalese Mamadou Camara and Oussama Lamlioui, the joint leading scorer in the competition this season, within 14 minutes of the kick-off gave Berkane the two-goal advantage. Tunisian coach Mouin Chaabani, seeking a ninth title in a club career spanning his homeland, Egypt and Morocco, said 'a two-goal victory in a first leg is never completely comfortable. 'Scoring an away goal can make a huge difference,' he added, alluding to the fact that if Berkane score once, Simba would have to score four times to lead on aggregate. South Africa-born Simba coach Fadlu Davids is chasing his first trophy and admitted that not facing Berkane in Dar es Salaam is a blow because they will have 45,000 less supporters. 'We conceded those early goals in Morocco because, although tactically prepared, we were not mentally ready. I am optimistic we can perform better in Zanzibar,' he said. The winner of the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League receive two million dollars (1.8 million euros) and the runners-up one million. Related Topics Confederations Cup / UEFA
