05 April 2023 , 23:01
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The Tories' cruel two-child benefit limit is having a "devastating" impact with widespread hardship and parents struggling to meet their kid's basic needs.
The Child Poverty Action group says today the controversial cap - one of ex-Chancellor George Osborne austerity measures - has played a big role in rising child poverty.
Under the policy benefit payments are restricted to just the first two children in the country's poorest families, unless they were born before April 2017.
The Child Poverty Action estimates that 1.5million children living in families subject to the limit, including 1.1million growing up in poverty.
A rolling survey by the organisation shows the number of families impacted by the policy who report it has affected their ability to pay for food has risen.
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In 2021-22 the figure stood at 78%, but today - six years after the policy was first rolled out - new figures show it has climbed to 87% in 2022-23.
The rate among non-working households has consistently reached 90%.
Under the DWP policy benefit payments are restricted to just the first two children in the country's poorest families - unless they were born before April 2017 (In Pictures via Getty Images)Despite Government intervention on energy bills, it also shows a rise in families reporting the policy has impacted their ability to pay for gas and electricity - from 73% to 82% in the same time period.
Under the current rate, families on benefits can claim £244 per month for their first child on top of their standard allowance and £244 for a second child.
Additional payments are only made to a third child if they were born before the controversial policy was introduced in April 2017 - but there are certain exemptions.
Chief Executive of the Child Poverty Action Group Alison Garnham said: "Six years to the day since the nastiest of policies came into effect, our survey is showing devastating effects.
"The two-child limit makes it impossible for parents to provide their children with essentials - and the cost of living crisis is adding extra pain."
She added: "The number of children in poverty rose by 350,000 last year – and the two-child limit played a big part in that rise.
"There is no place for this policy in a country that believes all children deserve a good start. Ministers must remove it before it does more damage to children and to family life.”
A Government spokesperson said: “The two-child policy means families on benefits are asked to make the same financial decisions as families supporting themselves solely through work, including considering our comprehensive childcare offer for working parents and child benefit for all children.
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"There are careful exemptions and safeguards in place within the policy to protect people in the most vulnerable circumstances.”