Agenda item

The Two Child limit to benefit payments was introduced by the Conservative Government in 2017 and is supported by the current Labour Government. It prevents families from claiming Child Tax Credit or Universal Credit for more than 2 children in the household.

Council notes the recent research conducted by the End Child Poverty Coalition which has found that:

• 1.5 million children in the UK live in households subject to the two-child limit on benefit payments. That is roughly one-in-ten children in the UK.
• In 2023/24 the two-child limit cost families up to £3,235 per child each year.
• Scrapping the two-child limit would lift 250,000 children out of poverty overnight, and significantly reduce the level of poverty that a further 850,000 children live in.
• Scrapping the two-child limit would cost £1.3 billion, however it is estimated that child poverty costs the economy £39 billion each year.

In Oxfordshire 10,850 children in 3050 households are currently affected by the two-child limit to benefit payments.

Council believes that the two-child limit is a cruel policy that should be scrapped.

Council resolves to:

• Ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister expressing Oxfordshire County Council’s strong belief that the two child limit to benefit payments should be scrapped.
• Ask the Leader to write to all MPs covering the Oxfordshire area, asking them to commit their public support

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Kate Gregory and seconded by Councillor Bob Johnston.

“The Two Child limit to benefit payments was introduced by the Conservative Government in 2017 and is supported by the current Labour Government. It prevents families from claiming Child Tax Credit or Universal Credit for more than 2 children in the household.

Council notes the recent research conducted by the End Child Poverty Coalition which has found that:

• 1.5 million children in the UK live in households subject to the two-child limit on benefit payments. That is roughly one-in-ten children in the UK.
• In 2023/24 the two-child limit cost families up to £3,235 per child each year.
• Scrapping the two-child limit would lift 250,000 children out of poverty overnight, and significantly reduce the level of poverty that a further 850,000 children live in.
• Scrapping the two-child limit would cost £1.3 billion, however it is estimated that child poverty costs the economy £39 billion each year.

In Oxfordshire 10,850 children in 3050 households are currently affected by the two-child limit to benefit payments.

Council believes that the two-child limit is a cruel policy that should be scrapped

Council resolves to:

• Ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister expressing Oxfordshire County Council’s strong belief that the two child limit to benefit payments should be scrapped.
• Ask the Leader to write to all MPs covering the Oxfordshire area, asking them to commit their public support.”

The following amendment was proposed by Councillor Baines and seconded by Councillor Charlie Hicks.

“The Two Child limit to benefit payments was introduced by the Conservative Government in 2017 and is supported by the current Labour Government. It This legacy of 14 years of Conservative Government prevents families from claiming Child Tax Credit or Universal Credit for more than 2 children in the household.

Council notes the recent research conducted by the End Child Poverty Coalition which has found that:

• 1.5 million children in the UK live in households subject to the two-child limit on benefit payments. That is roughly one-in-ten children in the UK.
• In 2023/24 the two-child limit cost families up to £3,235 per child each year.
• Scrapping the two-child limit would lift 250,000 children out of poverty overnight, and significantly reduce the level of poverty that a further 850,000 children live in.
• Scrapping the two-child limit would cost £1.3 billion, however it is estimated that child poverty costs the economy £39 billion each year.

In Oxfordshire 10,850 children in 3050 households are currently affected by the two-child limit to benefit payments.

Council believes:

·       Reckless decisions by the former Government in supporting unfunded spending commitments has left a black hole in our nation’s finances.

·       Governments and political parties should never commit to unfunded spending commitments, this threatens the stability of our economy.

·       Tthat the two-child limit is a cruel policy that should be scrapped once the fiscal environment allows.

Council resolves to:

• Ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister Minister for the Cabinet Office expressing Oxfordshire County Council’s strong belief that the two child limit to benefit payments should be scrapped welcoming the establishment of a new child poverty unit and a ministerial taskforce to break down barriers to opportunity for every child.
• Ask the Leader to write to all MPs covering the Oxfordshire area, asking them to commit their public support for these measures.”

Following debate, the amendment was lost with 14 votes in favour; 35 against and 0 abstentions.

Following further debate on the original motion, it was lost with 22 votes in favour; 28 against and 0 abstentions.