Reform UK pledges to fully restore two-child benefit cap
Reform UK has committed to reinstating the full two-child benefit cap, moving away from previous proposals to soften its enforcement as the party aims to tighten welfare spending. Shadow Chancellor Robert Jenrick, speaking at an event in the City, emphasized the return of this policy as part of a broader initiative to manage the nation’s finances more stringently, reports BritPanorama.
This policy reversal follows Nigel Farage’s initial calls to lift the cap to attract working-class families, which he later modified to apply only to families where both parents are British and in full-time employment. However, Jenrick’s announcement suggests a definitive end to such compromises, signaling a stringent focus on welfare policies.
The proposed reinstatement of the cap is projected to impact approximately 500,000 larger households, while the estimated benefit for the targeted 3,700 families would have been minimal. Jenrick stated, “Today, Reform is changing our policy on the two-child cap for Universal Credit. We want to help working families have more children. But right now, we just cannot afford to do so with welfare. So it has to go.” This statement underscores the party’s shift towards fiscal conservatism.
Meanwhile, Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves has succumbed to pressure from party backbenchers and recently abolished the cap altogether in the last budget, a decision projected to cost £3 billion. Advocates for ending the cap argue it would significantly alleviate child poverty, potentially lifting around 350,000 children from deprivation.
However, the move has met with resistance, as many voters express strong support for maintaining the current limits on benefit claims. Jenrick also confirmed that the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) would remain under Reform UK governance if elected, following previous suggestions to eliminate the budgetary watchdog. His reassurances aim to maintain confidence within financial markets and among businesses, highlighting the party’s commitment to fiscal discipline.
Jenrick’s assertion that “the OBR is far from perfect” reflects an intention to reform the body while endorsing its foundational purpose of promoting fiscal responsibility.
The evolving narrative surrounding welfare policy highlights the internal pressures within UK political parties as they navigate the complexities of public sentiment regarding social support systems.
