Overview
- Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander hinted on BBC that lifting the cap is under consideration as part of efforts to reduce child poverty.
- Reports ahead of Wednesday’s Budget say the 2017 limit on support for more than two children in Universal Credit and child tax credits will be abolished.
- Chancellor Rachel Reeves previously indicated the policy was unfair, with the expected change estimated to cost about £3 billion.
- Charities say the cap drives hardship, affecting roughly 1.7 million households and one in nine children across the UK.
- A government spokesman highlighted a wider package from the Child Poverty Taskforce, including £500 million for family hubs and a £1 billion crisis support fund.