Leigh and Atherton MP votes against axing two-child benefit cap

Following Labour's general election victory earlier this month, amendments to the King's Speech were debated in Parliament last night (Tuesday, July 23), in an attempt to make changes to the new government's policies and priorities.

The most controversial of these amendments was a motion submitted by the Scottish National Party calling for the 'two-child benefit cap' to be scrapped.

The cap prevents parents from applying for any additional benefits - such as Universal Credit and child tax credits - if they have more than two children born after April 2017 (when the Conservative policy came into force).

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The government said it would not make 'unfunded promises' (Image: House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire)
The Labour Party's decision to retain the benefit cap has drawn heavy criticism from child poverty charities, who believe that it fuels child poverty and discriminates against larger families.

Keir Starmer's handling of the vote has also been criticised, as seven Labour MPs who voted against the government have now been suspended from the party for six months.

Labour said it retained the policy as it is "not prepared to make unfunded promises", and has set up a taskforce to tackle child poverty.

Jo Platt, who was recently re-elected as the Labour MP for Leigh and Atherton, voted with the government as the SNP's amendment failed by 363 votes to 103; highlighting the large majority that Labour enjoys in government.

Keir Starmer defended Labour's position (Image: Lucy North/ PA Wire)
Sir Keir Starmer vowed to tackle child poverty “with the same vigour” as the last Labour government when challenged over his refusal to immediately axe the two-child benefit cap.

Sir Keir said: “The last Labour government lifted millions of children out of poverty, something we are very, very proud of.

“And this Government will approach the question with the same vigour with our new task force. Already we’ve taken steps: breakfast clubs, abolishing no-fault evictions, decent homes standard, Awaab’s Law, and a plan to make work pay.”