Briefing: Scotland Demands Better: End the cruel two-child limit

Budgets reflect the choices and priorities of our governments.

Each day, 109 children are pushed into poverty by the two-child limit. At the upcoming Budget, the Chancellor has a chance to change this. Scrapping this unjust policy would be a decisive step toward improving children’s opportunities and strengthening our country’s future.

Eight years on, the two-child limit remains a significant driver of child poverty. It separates what children need from what they are entitled to, depriving them of vital support. Affected families miss out on up to £3,455 a year per child, the negative consequences of which are far-reaching. Not only do they report not being able to provide for basic needs like food, clothing and housing, they also highlight that their children’s education, mental health, learning and development, and social lives are being adversely impacted.

At the Scotland Demands Better mobilisation in October, thousands came together to call for a Scotland free from poverty. They were clear that ending the two-child limit - lifting 350,000 children out of poverty - must be part of that vision.

In our new briefing to Scottish MPs, we urge them to oppose this cruel policy. Our children deserve better. Scotland demands better.

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