Scrapping two-child benefit cap 'major victory' in battle to end North East child poverty

North East mayor Kim McGuinness has launched a child poverty reduction strategy (Image: North East Combined Authority)

Ending the two-child benefit cap is a “vital step in the right direction” towards ending child poverty in the North East, campaigners say. Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed in her Budget on Wednesday that the controversial limit will be lifted in full from April 2026.

It is expected that ditching the cap will cost around £3 billion and lift 450,000 children out of poverty by the end of this Parliament. The policy, which was introduced in 2017, means that most families receiving Universal Credit can only claim support for their first two children.

Beth Farhat, chair of the North East Child Poverty Commission , said: “Scrapping the cruel two-child limit, in full