Labour are lifting the 2 child benefit cap

[PuppyKeep]

AIBU that this is a terrible decision?

What is your level of means testing?
Normal people don't want to see anyone suffer but the state can't do everything.

n the midst of a fertility crisis, which puts the whole welfare state (most immediately, the state pension) at risk of collapse, lifting the cap is an absolute no-brainer.

It won't encourage more dc, just reduce poverty for current ones which is a good thing. No country has reversed below replacement birth rates.

That is exactly why. Polls show that the public don’t support lifting it (although not by an overwhelming majority).

It’s depressing that people think this will push people towards Reform though. This is a Reform policy!! Farage said it a few months ago.

There is loads of research that doing this would immediately lift 100s of thousands of children out of poverty. Who wouldn’t want to do that?

I think it’s a great move. The biggest problem is rich people and corporations not paying enough tax.

Great, another 3 kids I can claim for but not get any payment for because I work and so does my husband.

It's about time Starmer realised he's the leader of the Labour party and not some Tory lite party.

They needed to lean left to claw back support from Reform, so a good idea in that sense

Also thought the cap was cruel so glad its going

It’s depressing that people think this will push people towards Reform though. This is a Reform policy!! Farage said it a few months ago.

Far too many people are stupid unfortunately

There is loads of research that doing this would immediately lift 100s of thousands of children out of poverty. Who wouldn’t want to do that?

For me, it's a no brainer.

Absolutely right thing to do.
Children growing up in poverty makes me very very sad.

The 2 child cap does nothing except perpetuate entrenched cycles of poverty, and punish kids for their parents’ decisions. Research was released this week that showed socioeconomic disadvantage literally changes the structure of children’s brains. I don’t want that for any child, and would pay significantly more tax than I do now (and I pay a decent amount- squeezed middle and all that) to fund CB for all children if it helps break cycles of poverty, and give kids better life chances (which numerous studies have proven CB does do).

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/sep/30/study-links-greater-inequality-to-structural-changes-in-childrens-brains#:~:text=The%20research%20found%20that%20children,multiple%20regions%20of%20the%20brain.)

lifting children out of poverty? the bastards!

I'd means-test pensions in much the same way as most of the other benefits are means-tested. Certain amount of savings/investments or money in property and you don't get it.

We can’t afford anything!
the cost of public sector pensions in terms of long term liability is £6 trillion!

Right, well Reeves had to borrow an additional and unexpected £11 billion in August to pay the bills but - yeah let's add some more to the party, see if we can race France to the IMF?

Wreckless spending. I understand 2 kids okay. Times are tough. But if times are already tough for you why are you having a 3rd child?

Quit your job then and freeload. Its the British way ✌

I'm torn

On one hand, no child should live in poverty

But at the same time, 2 children is enough. If people want more than that then I do believe they should pay for the child themselves

My auntie had 5 children whilst on benefits. I suspect she wouldn't of had 5 if she didn't have benefits to rely on

I know two other women who have had 7 and 10 children each. I also believe they would not of had so many if they didn't have benefits to rely on

I honestly don’t know how I feel about this. I don’t want children in poverty but I agree with you this is going to incentivise certain cohorts to keep having more children because they know they can rely on state benefits. Benefits which will increase our taxes.

Poverty is a mere statistical figure. Households are considered to be below the UK poverty line if their income is below 60% of the median household income after housing costs for that year. Lifting people out of poverty doesn’t mean they’ll spend the money on giving their kids better lives.

Did you not read it? It’s not been confirmed it’s something still
under discussion!

Rape
Change in circumstances after a child is born
Relationship Breakdown
Accidental pregnancy

Why are people having children they cannot afford bar the tax payer paying for them.

We made a decision to have two. Why is three plus an option for people who cannot afford it?

If someone can’t afford to have a child if they don’t get the £80 a month, then they can’t afford to have another child full stop. She’s made a massive mistake, but is anyone really surprised?

Vote Reform then and they will remove all your benefits!