The 2 child benefit cap lift will be cancelled out by the weekly benefit cap

[Pinkbowls]

I keep seeing all this talk about families with 6+ kids “racking it in” if the two-child benefit cap is lifted, and honestly, it’s hogwash. Here’s the reality:

If the Labour government does lift the two-child cap, it will mainly help low-income working families and families who are claiming disability benefits. These households aren’t subject to the cap, so the poorest families and those who genuinely need extra support for a third or fourth child are the ones who will benefit.

For a single adult with two children outside London, the monthly benefit cap is around £1,832 (~£423 per week). In London, it’s higher, about £2,108 per month (~£486 per week).

Now let’s break it down roughly for someone renting privately:

• Assume the standard allowance + personal allowance for the adult + child elements (for 2 kids) = around £1,200–£1,300/month.
• Private rent in many parts of the UK, and especially in London, can easily eat £800–£1,200/month.
• Add council tax support (which helps a bit, but only partially) and you can see that most of the cap is already taken up.

So in reality, lifting the two-child cap doesn’t suddenly create a pile of extra cash. For families on benefits but below the cap, the extra child element for a third or fourth child may only leave a modest amount after rent and council tax.

The idea that parents with 6+ children will suddenly be sitting on a fortune is completely overblown. The system is designed so that the support goes to those who genuinely need it, not to families already comfortably above the threshold.

The main winners of this policy will be:

• Low-income working families who are earning enough to be under the cap and can actually receive the child element for additional children.
• Families claiming disability benefits, who aren’t subject to the cap at all.

It’s important to separate myths from reality: this is about helping the most vulnerable and supporting working families, not about rewarding large families for being on benefits.

Lots are on Mumsnet asking what they’re ‘entitled’ to

No it’s a genuine question. (Also @TwinkleTwinkleLittleBatgirl)

I agree it’s my responsibility to feed my kids. Some people fail at that responsibility. Those children still need feeding.

The point for me is the latter, children need feeding.

I’m asking where your line is.

I don’t think anyone thinks children/people who are disabled shouldn’t be provided for, just don’t agree with the way it is done here. I would rather the special school was paid for, or respite care etc. not money just handed over for parents to use as they please. There are enough cases of families using the money for their own needs and not caring for the child as they should. And I agree with you the worst are benefits claimants who claim just because they can’t be arsed to go to work! It’s a hard slog for some of us, awake at 5.30 am and sleep at 11pm trying to juggle it all. While others sit at home and just claim because they can.

Do you think a parent has any responsibility for their own children?

Considering the current cap is more than my monthly salary (I also have 2 children), no I don’t think it should be lifted. I can’t get any help because I have a mortgage, but my friend who has a shared ownership house gets hers paid for entirely as she technically ‘rents’ half her house. They need to sort out the current system before spending any more money.

I’ve read that the general IQ of the country is reducing because the intelligent people aren’t having babies (can’t afford them) whereas not so intelligent people are having more babies as they can afford it.

Agree, the “You want to STARVE children to death by denying them FOOD!!!” guilt trip isn’t working anymore, people are waking up to the reality that parents need to take responsibility for their children.

Again, children can't pick their parents. I don't believe they should suffer because their parents are inadequate.

Are you having a laugh? Where do you think the money that belong to the government come from, if not from tax pounds??
magic government money tree???

When oh when are people going to make parents accountable for their kids?
I am so sick of people of schools, social services, health services and the benefits system having to plug gaps caused by parents making poor decisions and not facing up to their responsibilities. Of course we need free school dinners and a lifting of the cap so children don’t suffer but what is actually being done to make parents take some responsibility?

I think, if we’re being genuine here, the cost of just services being funded isn’t enough.

For example - our son does attend a paid for SENd school. We get one night of respite a month, and we’re fortunate to get that. Many get less or nothing.

I’m not itemising it for you, but the additional cost of his needs to our household budget is circa £1.2k per month. We’re both high earners, and can just about absolve that cost. Many people can’t, particularly if they can’t work because of their child’s needs.

You don’t have to like it, but that shortfall needs covering.

Yes. But not everyone has got such amazing parents like you.

Children don't get to pick their parents, so shouldn't suffer if they have inadequate ones.

@ihaterain2024 i have a friend like yours too. Mines had 4 holidays this year, nails done every 3 weeks, hair every 6 weeks. I’ve had none.
People are so in denial about life on benefits. Yes some people are struggling, but everyone I know who claims has a higher standard of living than I do!

Yeah we’ve all seen situations where generations of the same families never work.

But by the same token there are plenty of trust fund kids who inherit wealth and don’t contribute to society. Brooklyn Beckham, Not A Prince Andrew to name but two.

And there are kids from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds who break the mould and go on to make a huge contribution to society.

It’s not possible to know who will contribute before they are conceived and it’s offensive and bordering on eugenics to suggest that people on benefits shouldn’t have DC because said DC will only turn out one way.

Why should people who are bad parents and don't work get paid money by people who work?

I wondered how long it would be before someone started talking about eugenics!
It’s like playing lefty bingo.

Christ you almost mirror my life

If it wasn’t spent that means you (she) DOESNT NEED THAT MONEY

Brooklyn Beckham I suggest is unlikely to be a drain on the taxpayers purse.

I just posted this on another thread. I can't believe how many people are still falling for it. We do not have a resource problem. We do have a resource distribution problem.

Why would you be paying zero rent or council tax? Unless you own your house outright? Or have a VERY generous landlord?.

It's not your money though. It comes from other people who work for it.

“And there are kids from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds who break the mould and go on to make a huge contribution to society.”

I grew up on a council estate with an alcoholic father who “worked cash in hand” and my mum who worked 20hrs a week and struggled to feed us. Quite regularly would feed us and not herself. I asked for rollerblades 3 Christmas’s in a row, didn’t get them because we couldn’t afford them.

I’m masters educated, have been a higher rate tax payer for approaching a decade, and am directly responsible for the employment of over 100 people.

People like me exist, and wouldn’t if we started somehow forbidding people on benefits from having children.

I am a receiver and I am also other people.

And this thread has nearly tipped me over the edge.

Its shit isn't it? I love my children but this is just more prejudice we have to deal with.