Keir Starmer, in a commitment to support the British people, emphasized the removal of the two-child benefit limit. The Prime Minister praised this action, effective from Monday, for lifting approximately half a million children out of poverty. Starmer acknowledged the concerns of families regarding the cost of living and highlighted the government’s focus on making prudent long-term decisions amidst global uncertainties.
He stated, “Irrespective of global challenges, my administration remains dedicated to alleviating the burden of living expenses on the British populace.”
Starmer further added, “I am mindful of the strong desire for change among the populace, and I am pleased that today we are uplifting nearly half a million children from poverty, enhancing support for pensioners, and instituting the most significant enhancement to workers’ rights in a generation.”
Addressing the worries of families about the impact of conflicts like the one in Iran on living expenses, Starmer assured collaboration with international partners to advocate for de-escalation in the Middle East and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as a means to reduce cost-of-living pressures.
He affirmed, “Our response to the current global climate will define our generation, which is why we are making informed decisions now to ensure a stronger and more secure nation emerges from this situation.”
The two-child limit, originally introduced by the Conservative government, restricted benefits like Universal Credit to the first two children in a family. About 1.5 million children are expected to benefit from the lift of this restriction.
In addition to this change, the standard rate of Universal Credit will increase by 6.2%, translating to approximately £265 annually for individuals and £465 for couples.
In response to these developments, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey criticized Labour for not effectively addressing the cost-of-living crisis. He urged the Prime Minister to consider the Liberal Democrat proposal for a 10p reduction in fuel duty and ensure that families and pensioners are shielded from a potential £500 increase in energy bills later in the year.