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.

And isn't Poland doing better economically than us at the moment? Or will be soon? Why are we supporting their own nationals?

Yes, but it can be undone. I think as the majority of people begin to really feel their standard of living fall due to all these tax rises and the knock on effect of this on the economy then people's attitudes to benefits and welfare will harden. This will pave the way to cuts and a recalibration of the system at the next election.

Report them then?

And this is the sentiment of so many. You are right - a vast swathe on the population have had enough.
The tax man keeps returning cap in hand to the same section of society - and it’s getting frightening. Where does it stop?
I admit, I’m a high earner. But I’m also bloody exhausted, completely spent. And getting less and less back for that effort. Not just the effort of today but all the uni years, struggling with student debt living in shared houses. The long (LONG) hours in my 20’s spent climbing the greasy pole and the ever exhausting struggle with work/children.
Those that can work should be compelled to. Those the genuinely can’t should be supported.
Those on PAYE (particularly high earners) in this country are stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea supporting everyone else.

Report them for what?

Benefit fraud? Having two houses would certainly mean they aren't entitled.

I feel like there are two categories of people on this thread. One group has actually seen benefit fraud in action and they feel angry and upset (rightly) and one hasn't so they don't feel that same anger towards the government/people on benefits. I have never seen anyone abuse benefits, work cash in hand, pretend to be disabled etc. It sounds infuriating however it still costs the state much less than tax evasion!

Apologies if someone else has already said this, but the percentage of single parents with SEN children is very high. My partner was one when I met him, his ex having buggered off “to follow her heart”. I promise you, you can’t force the majority of absent parents to step up financially or otherwise! A lot of men, and occasional woman, find the reality of a SEN child just too much to deal with. Everyone I know on benefits, including myself, is there because they have no other choice, and it’s shit. Also everyone I know, including myself, would rather be fit and healthy, working full time and living a decent life.

Begrudging someone the ability to save £10 a month is just laughable. Maybe go on the personal finance board on Reddit and get some tips.

How has £6000 - 16 0000 became £10 a month?

but also £120 a year to 2 million becomes 240,000,000 a year

Entitled comment there. Remember, it's other people's money that they are saving.

I don't think it's very funny if you can't afford to save that much each month and are working to subsidise those that can. It's easy to laugh when you are the beneficiary of this madness.

And this is the issue. Those on modest salaries, or single parents trying to fund themselves plus children are really really struggling to make ends meet, let alone save.
it should never be more lucrative to
be on benefits (I’m not including physical disability in that, of course).

Exactly. I was in my overdraft for a decade as my outgoings exceeded my income despite working full time. I certainly didn't have spare money for savings. Good to know my tax was going to people that didn't work so that they could have some money to put aside. This country is a laughing stock when it comes to throwing working people's own money to those that don't work.

Please can you let us know what measures the IMF introduced? It might help us prepare.

And I’m fairly sure that PIP and DLA have been mentioned a lot and well so my comments are entirely appropriate.

?? Don't think Brooklyn Beckham is on UC!! Please explain how he is taking as much out if the system as s someone on PIP, UC, housing benefit?

💯 agree with this. My mind is actually blown 😳 🤯🤯 and jaw hitting the ground with how much people are getting paid in benefits. Worked in NHS here for 20+ years and have a family.....I've never got more than £2000 a month

A look at Argentina's more recent cuts following bailout should make interesting reading for those that argue about saving for Christmas. Pensioners have seen their pension value slashed by 40%. Public sector services cut to the bone. Help for domestic abuse etc removed. The list of cuts should be very sobering for those advocating for unsustainable public spending. Child poverty and all poverty will go through the roof.

No wonder young people aren't bothering to work - it is literally at the point where it isn't worth it.

They have built 2 houses in Poland off the back of our generous benefits system - what they do with the benefits they get is up to them.....they should not have got this much in the first place! They were not spending on kids.

It is beyond screwed the system here is far too generous and is exploited every which way.

Benefits should be for Brits simple as that not just anyone who arrives here.

Not to mention going ahead to have more after having one with additional or complex needs. Just irresponsible of these parents. It's why they feel 'entitled'.

Of course

This. If you have 'faulty' genetics it is cruel and selfish to have children.

We need to keep the cap—the optics won’t be great when everyone is asked to cough up more in tax and they simultaneously drop the cap.

We also need to address the cultural issue of the perceived need to have a baby with each new BF/GF. As if the relationship isn’t serious or official if it doesn’t produce a child.