Andy Burnham calls two-child benefit limit the worst of Westminster'

"Andy Burnham has thrown further weight behind calls to scrap the two-child benefit limit, calling it an abhorrent policy, which represents the worst of Westminster. The two-child limit, which was introduced by the Conservative government in 2017, only allows families to claim universal credit and tax credits for up to two children. The Greater Manchester mayor was speaking to the journalist and poverty campaigner Terri White, as part of an on-the-ground video feature for the Guardian."

"Burnham, who is one of three children himself, said the two-child limit was arbitrary and could not be justified. His intervention came amid mounting speculation that he is seeking a return to Westminster after standing down as an MP in 2017. In a series of media interviews this week, Burnham said Labour MPs were privately urging him to launch a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer and accused Downing Street of spreading alienation and demoralisation among MPs."

"He argued that wholesale change was needed to see off an existential threat to the Labour party and set out preferred policies, including higher council tax on some homes in southern England and a 50% top rate of income tax. Ministers are examining the impact of the two-child limit as part of a strategy to tackle child poverty. Their recommendation is due to be published later this autumn following several delays."

Andy Burnham supports scrapping the two-child benefit limit and labels the policy abhorrent and arbitrary. The two-child limit, introduced in 2017, restricts universal credit and tax credit claims to a maximum of two children. Ministers are examining the limit's impact as part of a child poverty strategy, with a recommendation due later this autumn. Burnham, one of three children, faces speculation about a Westminster return and says Labour MPs privately urged a leadership challenge to Keir Starmer, accusing Downing Street of creating alienation. Campaigner Terri White documented mothers’ experiences and a racially attacked mother of four affected by the cap.

Read at www.theguardian.com