Should Labour abolish the two child benefit cap?

[changefromhr]

In two minds about this. Yes for those who find themselves on benefits after having more than two children (job loss, divorce etc) but perhaps not for those who choose to have more than two children when they have never worked (disabled families excepted).

https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jul/11/uk-two-child-benefit-cap-affected-1-6-million-children-last-year-figures-show

No 99% people.choose to habe children therefore if you can't afford it don't have them expecting other people to pay for them. I'm done continually paying for the people to have whayvthsy wany at the detriment to my own life, I want to go on more holidays but when I'm being taxed more so I can't and that money is then going to allow someone to afford their life choices it's unfair.

Yes, because we urgently need to lift children out of poverty.

I would struggle to support it.

I know circumstances can change but I also don’t think it’s reasonable for the tax payer to fund an unlimited number of children a couple choose to have many years after the policy changes.

No, people need to take responsibility. This country needs to start making men pay for their offspring.

I would however support changes to the child maintenance system and harsher penalties for men who don’t/wont pay.

Yes and no. Make it time limited so all children count when you initially claim to cover those who hit unexpected circumstances but unless then disabilities involved it should only last so long allowing people to get back on their feet.

No.

No, there isn’t enough money for this. He’s just announced yesterday that teachers and other public sector workers will be disappointed this year as there are no real- terms pay rises coming due to the lack of money.
If that’s the case the message needs to be consistent across all departments , how could they justify keeping nurses in relative poverty while spending more on benefits yet again.

This 100%

This was posted yesterday on here.

I’m not sure. I wonder if food or energy vouchers would be a better idea than cash?
I believe there’s no current cap on child benefit anyway, only UC.

No, but they should clamp down, US style, on absent fathers who don't support their kids

Yes they should- it’s not the children’s fault and they are the ones who will suffer. I feel really uncomfortable about making benefits contingent on behavioural factors like whether you chose to have children you couldn’t afford or your circumstances changed- benefits should be about need.

No

Completely against it. People need to start taking more accountability of their actions, just like those whose children aren't funded by the tax payer do

I agree with this. Most people save up to have a DC.

But this is already the case - as long as your children were born before 06/04/2017!!

If someone lost their income and had to claim benefits tomorrow, they get child element for any children before that date. If they have multiple children born after that date when not on benefits and then need to claim UC, they will be subject to the 2 child cap unless they meet the conditions to qualify for an exemption - children born as part of a multiple birth pregnancy, children who are under a guardianship order, if they are placed with you by social service, if they are the child of one of your children under 16, if you have adopted them, if they are born as a result of rape (where you do not live with the abuser) - or a few other specific situations.

But, if people have had more than 2 children since 06/04/0217, and later need to claim benefits, they have to accept they will not receive
money for all of them.

Yes they should. It will be good for children and families and lift many of them out of poverty, and it will therefore be good for society. They should also clamp down on fathers who do not pay for their children, we can do both.

No but I’d fully support a strong system for making absent parents pay appropriately.

The argument is, though, that it isn't the children's fault that they are the 3rd baby that the parents can't afford. It's not their siblings fault that their income has dropped because the 3rd or 4th one has come along.

The children can't 'take responsibility', they just have to live in poverty.

I'm a Labour supporter but personally I think no -

No it should definitely stay

Things should be more affordable. The n less benefits will be needed. I know the economy doesn't work that way. But that is the answer really

Yes, because child poverty doesn't solve problems in society. It causes them.

No. In UK we seem to think money grows on trees and that there should be a benefit for everything in life.
In other countries like Spain, benefits are there to get you out of a situation and support you till you have turned things around. Not a lifestyle choice (for some). In uk you can be on benefits your whole life which should not be possible. Yes, for some disabled people that might be necessary but again in other cultures their family would support. That’s not our current culture.