Time to scrap the two-child benefit cap? Feat. Michael Walker & Esther K. | Storm Huntley

Labour rebels are said to be piling pressure on Starmer to reverse the Conservative policy, which critics have labelled 'cruel'.
Introduced seven years ago, it stops parents from claiming universal credit or child tax credit for a third child.
But new figures show that two in five large families are now being affected by the limit in the UK.
So - with a fresh light being shone on child poverty rates, is it time the cap was scrapped?
Or do you think that if someone can't afford to have more kids, then the government shouldn't be paying for it?
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#StormHuntley #twochildpolicy #benefits

[@yorewhyworry7217]

What dumb argument! So parents will squander money once they have a third child?? But trust they wouldn't do that with child 1 and 2??

[@MinkieWinkle]

Not my job to pay for YOUR kids

[@Mark-mu6bc]

Going after disabled is cruel and inhumane and labour are going ahead with it their just as cruel and nasty as the Tories

[@Mark-mu6bc]

Which is sick 😡

[@savannahglebe5165]

Oh STFU, it’s nasty and sick to take money from hard working families and give it to bone idle entitled families, what is “disabled” these days? It’s generally naughty benefit kids.

[@Musika1321]

Esther lives in a text book version of the world.

[@mum2jka]

Put the money into reducing the cost of childcare for parents.

[@loopylou6841]

Wholeheartedly agree with this point! , The prices are extortionate in some areas

[@savannahglebe5165]

No the government would rather the money went to these free loaders who contribute NOTHING to society.

[@kellyhawkes3191]

People in the comments don't seem to realise that we are low on children and they pay for your pensions, you live in a society and to keep your society safe, you take care of each other, starting with bringing up healthy children.

[@jujutrini8412]

Put the money towards helping parents with childcare. The cost of childcare is extortionate in this country. Parents would be happy to not have to worry about that cost coming out of their wages.

[@savannahglebe5165]

No,we’re low on children being raised properly with a work ethic. You think these large benefit families will go on to contribute to society? Keep dreaming….

[@leecoping8114]

No way , benefits for two children is enough

[@user-qo5od5yx8m]

Many families from abroad have 6 to 10 children, 3 especially African families, then they will be needing housing for all these children, plus free school.meals, health care, the list goes on.and on. Religious groups also tend to have 6 children in their families also. Most British families have 2 to 3 children. Also, many families from Poland come here have their children in U.K. then get child.benifit and go back to Europe to live in their country while living on the UK child benefit. So that needs addressing.

[@ianmorrison5474]

I've personally seen a lot of cases where irresponsible men walk away and then responsible men and women that they don't know are then made to support through taxation.

[@Zaphod-ef9yz]

Of course... the women that allow them access to their uterus are not irresponsible at all though, correct?

[@lyndacrosfill6340]

Were paying for the extra unlawful wifes of muslim men who's classed as single mums and getting paid by the tax payers.what happend to muslim fathers pays maintance . more children means more child poverty. Zero hours and minimum wages cause poverty

[@janebufton1960]

I know a family before the cap who used to go to to Foruda. They had 6 children. All on the state.

[@josephobi.837]

What is Foruda?

[@savannahglebe5165]

@@josephobi.837Well it’s not in the UK and it’s on the tax payer!

[@SomedaySomeway7000]

You can have good jobs, keeping your 3/4 kids quite easily then boom you find yourself being made redundant or becoming sick/disabled why should you not have benefits to cover the kids, you paid your taxes , parenting is a diffucult job don't make it any harder , try treating people with some respect.

[@savannahglebe5165]

Because the majority haven’t paid ANY tax EVER! And never have any intention of doing. If you had good jobs then you’ll have no problem finding more work will you? Millions of families manage it without relying on welfare! But they’re not looking for excuses…..

[@NilsAlmquist]

It's either investing a bit more in kids via child benefit or having to rely on more immigration. We can't afford to have such low birth rates and cut down on immigration if you want to continue funding.the NHS, the care sector and the state pension.

[@MGold00]

Those that were born before the 2 child policy was passed the government should keep supporting. But going forward those r born after shouldn't be supported.

[@user-pl4ut8xf8c]

Do not pay for more than two children.if you bring children in to the world. It's your responsibility to care for them not the tax payer

[@vincentblack7467]

We all know who is having so many kid's it's not rocket science.. These with big family stay on benefits it pays for them...

[@janebufton1960]

Labour is very similar to the tory party so I dought that they will change anything.

[@MinkieWinkle]

I hope it does not change. It is not my job to pay for YOUR children

[@maryduffy2036]

2 cap, is fine. If you go beyond that, then that's your call. Ester is 100%and talks PURE COMMON SENSE

[@ronniedobson]

@@maryduffy2036 then they plead poverty system is all wrong

[@Jonnyicey]

We need to support parents, we have sub replacement fertility. Do you prefer mass immigration?

[@savannahglebe5165]

@@JonnyiceyNO The parents need to support themselves and take responsibility.

[@Jonnyicey]

@@savannahglebe5165 people can't afford to have even 1 kid these days because of how expensive it is. Childless people should be taxed more to compensate.

[@cherylparker8025]

Agree with Esther, money shouod go to child care, education , school meals

[@darkdonzaloog]

imagine if there was a way to not have more than 2 kids 😂😂

[@Londonlight522]

It will again incentivise people to have more kids for financial gain just results in the wrong people having children with a knock of effect on social services. I remember the kids in schools from big benefits families, full of nits, creased shirts and off their head on fizzy drink. Most people trying to raise children well wouldn’t birth them into an uphill battle. People say what about Alan Sugar, but his parents were hardly XL bully in the back garden, trampoline in the front garden and a troupe of half siblings.

[@BritguyQRO]

Keep it sick of people popping kids out and expecting the workers to fund it.

[@savannahglebe5165]

AGREED!! Do these divvy do gooders not realise that’s why they have them so they don’t have to work while their kids run feral in society!!

[@BritguyQRO]

@@savannahglebe5165 Exactly

[@toriesout8692]

Didn’t really watch and understand the reduced birth rates, huh? Hunny, if there aren’t enough future workers, there won’t be enough to pay state pension.

[@StephanieBanks-qw3zq]

@@toriesout8692You think these kids have any intention in working?? They’ll follow suit and have kids as soon as they leave school so don’t give us that lame BS.

[@rolinti9146]

you do know the majority of people on benefits are in work right??

[@angietowey]

No, why should people who choose to have large families be 'paid' for it . Someone who has 10 children would get over £32,000 a year and that's before all the other benefits. We know who these people are.

[@Tw-mo3ne]

Before I immigrated to Canada there was loads of women having babies just to take a year off with unemployment pay. They would get child allowance and use it to go out on the weekends drinking. They sickened me so I think they shouldn’t have kids unless they’re not dependent on the government.

[@paganartisan]

Sadly I found the same and even milk vouchers were uses in deals in shops to get booze and cigarettes

[@toriesout8692]

So people can’t get accidentally pregnant…. What world is Esther living on?

[@Dani20240]

Spend that money for people who are not able having kids for medical reasons.

[@ox3965]

Well this cap effects people who, work as well, so they are paying there tax. The people who are saying keep it, are those who dont want free loaders to sitting at home and have kids. It doesnt think about those working there ass off at work and paying extortionate child care fees.

[@paganartisan]

No because growing up in the 90s the streets were littered by single mothers. Some of them were genuine and others only had babies to get on the housing ladder or not work. Many had different children from different Men. On the buses you could not move for pushchairs. Many claimed to be single, but had lots of boyfriends.

[@kellykreqeli8924]

I have one son who is 20 who is on the autistic spectrum and has mental health Why should people like me and my husband who work hard have pay for other People who choose to have loads of kids? If people want loads of kids they should pay for them Themselves other people shouldn’t have to We don’t get any help we have to pay for everything ourselves I agree people know if you lay down and sleep together you can get pregnant take responsibility and use contraception

[@syriacchristianity9007]

We live in a society

[@Zaphod-ef9yz]

But you will be happy getting the DLA payment yes?

[@chriswilliams8121]

Keep the cap it's right why should we keep paying for them to just breed and live life on benefits I would rather the disability benefits be increased and to help cover the cost of disabilities compared to a non disabled person

[@zSilverWingz]

Who is them?

[@savannahglebe5165]

@@zSilverWingzThose who have kids and expect the tax payer to fund it!! You’re probably one of them.

[@toriesout8692]

Hitler dehumanised people too.

[@ox3965]

Your ignorant and dum. It should effect people who are not contributing. This cap effects working people as well, who work more hours then you.

[@MinkieWinkle]

toriesout8692 He also wanted to expand state control. Which is exactly what shacking people to welfare does. Creating mindless voters

[@JG-fv9bv]

And we all know which demographic this is to appease

[@Dave_Smith647]

On average British people two foreign people four or five . then go on benefits .They get more money

[@boo4677]

I am training to be a nurse, if I hadn’t met my partner I would not have had the chance to do this. I have three children with my ex husband but due to his actions we do not have any contact with him. My parents so my children’s grandparents turned around to me and explained that they will not take my children on a regular basis because they had raised me and my sister and it was now their time to relax. So this comment that grandparents is so stupid because there are those who do not want to take up that role.

[@jujutrini8412]

I wish someone had asked Esther how she wants the government to encourage two parent homes?

[@toriesout8692]

My understanding is Esther is going to get involved in peoples relationships. Maybe she will take the punch in a volatile relationship 😂

[@StephanieBanks-qw3zq]

@@toriesout8692Then don’t have children to volatile men!

[@user-jn1lc9lz7v]

I worked hard building my own house also at the same time I was involved building social housing, but while my wife and I only had one child ,due to financial reasons I witnessed families not bothering to go to work yet have many children and still to this day I see lacklustre men been given a free house

[@PastaSauce.]

They usually end up living in crap areas though.

[@savannahglebe5165]

@@PastaSauce.Are you kidding me! They’re the ones getting the new builds!

[@PastaSauce.]

@@savannahglebe5165 I live in a new township that has around 10,000 new homes built in the last 10 years. Only 900 of them are social houses and half of that is for the disabled.

[@savannahglebe5165]

@@PastaSauce. Oh really done a door to door survey have you? Well for every new housing estate they build 30% have to be “affordable” housing. They go to all the single parent mothers who don’t pay their rent and druggies who get evicted

[@dogwithwigwamz.7320]

The benefit should be stopped at the 1 child limit - either that or no child limit. I can hardly afford my own bills - without having to subsidise the bills of people that - as likely as not - know the ins and outs of human biology but are under no financial pressure to ignore them.

[@carolewood3482]

Keep the child benefit cap. It is irresponsible to have more children than you can afford.

[@janebufton1960]

There should be a cap. Having children is a choice and adults have a responsibility to be able to afford them, and not allowing the state to pay for parents to have several children or because they know they don't have to pay for them the state helps.. its every adult responsibility to choose, but not expecting the state to pay.

[@CherryTree186]

​@peterholden3672 Well, that's life.. not many people can rely on social security in other countries.

[@savannahglebe5165]

@@peterholden3672Before you have children you should counter in factors such as employment and relationship breakdowns before you go have multiple children. But that’s rarely the case, it’s generally Irresponsible bone idle people having kids for a free house and free money. Get in the real world Peter.

[@mikekelsall5859]

​@@savannahglebe5165 rather that than our tax money being wasted on immigrants and sent to Ukraine to start a war 🤣 at least England stays majority English for while

[@savannahglebe5165]

@@peterholden3672 Stop with the ridiculous whatsboutisms! If you only expect to look after children when times are perfect you really shouldn’t be having kids! Obviously there’s going to be curve balls in life. Back before “tax credits” do you think women didn’t get divorced or lose their Jobs? Of course they did. They just had to roll their sleeves up Instead and work harder! What married couple has more than 3 children these days?? Very few because they have to consider how they’re going to pay for them. People on benefits have 5+ kids and another one every time it’s time to get a job. What about the “single mothers” who have their partner living there? Who have cash in hand jobs and get to keep all their wages to themselves while demanding everyone elses because that’s rife! You’re either one of them or you have never left your gated community, because these scenarios are the vast majority; but you’re ok with hard working families with morals being taken advantage of are you??

[@savannahglebe5165]

@@peterholden3672 Stop with the ridiculous whatsboutisms! If you only expect to look after children when times are perfect you really shouldn’t be having kids! Obviously there’s going to be curve balls in life. Back before “tax credits” do you think women didn’t get divorced or lose their Jobs? Of course they did. They just had to roll their sleeves up Instead and work harder! What married couple has more than 3 children these days?? Very few because they have to consider how they’re going to pay for them. People on benefits have 5+ kids and another one every time it’s time to get a job. What about the “single mothers” who have their partner living there? Who have cash in hand jobs and get to keep all their wages to themselves while demanding everyone elses because that’s rife! You’re either one of them or you have never left your gated community, because these scenarios are the vast majority; but you’re ok with hard working families with morals being taken advantage of are you??

[@saintsimon54]

How about sod off, I'm sick of paying for everybody's life choices.

[@TomMAF4]

So impoverishing children and parents is the plan? Is that going to make the UK a more prosperous nation. This idea is just a false economy. Save pitence to help children and parents now and then have a less productive society and pay way more in the long run

[@kerrynewnham8946]

If the Labour Party want to make a principled position for managing poverty without adjusting benefits why didn’t they take the five years they had in opposition under Starmer to develop a plan, ditto social care, why spend that time carping at the tories, saying that they would do things much better but without actually developing plans

[@peacehope7365]

I've got a mixed view. I feel sorry for the children who have such irresponsible parents, so I'd lift the cap for the kids' sake. But, the parents, especially single mothers, should have to go on a course to learn about financial and societal responsibility. Maybe they should be expected to pay some of the money back once their children are adults? We've got a climate and overpopulation crisis. Having masses of children that you can't afford is irresponsible. I blame the stupid parents though, not the poor kids.

[@MQtheAI]

My sister in law that cant afford to have her kids with her because of this cap, its evil and wrong its destroying society. The ammount of damage it's caused to this family is awful. The story is she was with a guy for years they lost a child together things turned really bad for them as you can imagine and they split up, she went on to have more children with another guy after but because of the cap she can no longer have the children from her first relationship with her. Now her X has power over her and the kids, its destroyed her relationship with her kids and they are now off the rails getting arrested costing the government more money than if they had just paid the dam benefit. Its the Kids are taking the flack for all this they are kids they dont understand all this yet for god's sake think about them, they did not ask to be born.

[@loopylou6841]

I have mixed views on this because the idea of benefits was to only use them if life went wrong some where, like being unexpectedly widowed for example, it’s the kids I feel bad for though

[@24Roxyx]

Share the trillions out then for everyone and stop drip feeding it.

[@savannahglebe5165]

What trillions?

[@lightweightben]

Children should just be a tax deduction. If I have more kids I could get more tax free allowance, say £10k per child. That way it encourages me to work more as I take home more and encourages higher earners to have more kids

[@SpankableRoxyRaeOnlyfanscreato]

In the 1950 shopping bill for a family of 4 would have been a £1!

[@SpankableRoxyRaeOnlyfanscreato]

Could buy a house for £3000

[@macsmiffy2197]

Reasons why there might be more than 2 children per family. Families choose to have more than 2 children Birth of triplets A single birth followed by twins Reconstituted families, ie when a divorcee with children marries another person who also has children. Just saying!

[@Rtd22375]

Apparently we have plenty of money to aid ukraine .. but can't help our own people .. its a sick joke

[@darkdonzaloog]

3rd child ain't jesus so its a result of some actions

[@elaineathwal1277]

No keep the cap if you can't afford more than 2 children !!!

[@janetholden1978]

The cap should remain Children are a choice and it is not right that tax payers many who do not have children should pay. When it comes to benefits some people would just have children for the money.

[@Zaphod-ef9yz]

If only benefits were correctly means tested then this whole issue wouldn't be an issue. And before anyone whines, why should pensioners sat on £500k of assets, in receipt of over £800 a week of pensions get things like free bus passes, winter fuel allowances and free TV licenses because in my view, benefits should only be given to those that need them. Means test benefits properly and a fortune would be saved, nobody would be impoverished and you would create thousands of jobs in the process but hey, common sense isn't fashionable is it??

[@lk6789]

If they can't afford more than two then two is enough. The cap should STAY.

[@yorewhyworry7217]

6 children per woman? What kind of language is that??

[@555555345]

Oh yes but it is ok for the poor to keep on popping up the rich .

[@Dani20240]

For example for IVF and...

[@Sabina-lo8fv]

Starmers advisers have more than 2 kids that’s why they want him to scrap it. We can’t afford to feed the ones we have now how in gods name are we going to feed them???

[@denisewalker7266]

My daughter and husband both work and can only afford to have 2 children. Some people have children to get benefits, and people from ethnic minorities have loads of kids so why should we subsidise this.

[@darkvader7231]

You mean muslims and somalians..not every ethnic group has more than 2 kids, some only have the one!!!

[@subornabangladeshimumuk1467]

We should learn from China….?

[@CherryTree186]

Let it remain capped

[@user-qo5od5yx8m]

No. Def should not be paying more for more children then 2.

[@TheHeninhardenne]

Just only have 2 children. Then they wont be in poverty at all. I know parents that spend child benefits not on their child but use their child benefit as profits and spend on luxurious brands on the parents themselves.

[@ValerieMcIntyre-cg6rw]

What luxurious brand's can you get for £20 food shopping a week is nearly £100 now

[@paganartisan]

We have all seen ragged kids and Mothers with expensive dresses, hairdos and gold. Society has woken up now. At one time it was taboo to even speak of what was going on. I agree if you can't support them then don't have them. Or you will create many more queens of benefits who have houses given to them by the council

[@savannahglebe5165]

@@ValerieMcIntyre-cg6rw£20!! These families are on 3K a month and thats disposable cash! The rent, council tax,school meals, trips and prescription’s all paid for!!

[@paganartisan]

Put the money into trust funds for the children as if given to some parents it will just go on booze and cigarettes

[@Jay-zq3sy]

I have 4 kids and although it would help me emensly she is right

[@gladyssannahmthombeni6501]

Where are the fathers of those children.

[@Boo-pv4hn]

The reality is you can have twins triplets and so on one pregnancy. I think the cap should be based on pregnancies or cover children from 2 pregnancies and children born from rape peoples circumstances change and realistically you can’t cull the kids if the circumstances change and you e had more kids prior you also may want a child but then have triplets h expectedly which means only 2 are payed for even tho it’s one pregnancy

[@kerrynewnham8946]

Why worry about declining birth rate and also be so anti-immigration as gvts now are? it just seems crazy when we’ve got people who are going to be fleeing parts the world due to climate change/ wars and have got nowhere to go and we’re saying that we’ve got to bar them and also encourage people & incentivise people here to have more than two children and make it more attractive for them why?

[@angietowey]

Its not a choice for some of the population, they think its a given right!

[@rickirocks90210]

This Esther is really something else... She never fails to surprise me with her nonsense.

[@derekmain9914]

Fed up of people having kids then realising they are expensive, if you want kids make sure you can afford them!

[@toriesout8692]

You also fed up when a person loses or flees their partner, becomes a single parent and has to now claim benefits for only 2 of their 3+ children. Despite in the past being fine with two salaries? Mystic Megs crystal ball isn’t available to everyone babes.

[@derekmain9914]

@@toriesout8692 young women have a feeling of entitlement these days saw programme on tv the other night with young mums claiming g they can’t feed their children all these young women had eyebrows , nails and hair done insome cases Donald Duck lips ! How’s about feeding your kids before tarting yourselves up

[@sushi0408]

2 child caps are fine. If their parents can not look after them they will forster them other parents. I agreed Foster commons.

[@MargaretSmith-kl7mq]

Esther is right if you have more than two children you should be able to afford to bring them in this wourld without relying on the state

[@gladyssannahmthombeni6501]

Encouraging family planning and encouraged people to have children which they can afford

[@davefish8107]

Lots of parents now days push their doctors to say that their kids have ADHD because it gives them extra money. I know a woman who has 4 kids ,all under 8 years old and all been diagnosed with it

[@kingarthur7250]

Peopke should pay for their own kids. We cant afford it. Take child benefit off parents. So they cant spend it. Instead pay for meansctested school uniforms and gym gear....out of school clubs. ..school breakfasts and meals. I want parents to not get money.

[@sylviaball3874]

Some people make a living having kids.

[@fatherted9331]

The ones that are affected by the limit is mainly migrants to this coutry so it should stay

[@hollycat...1642]

I think that the two child cap should not change. If you want children it is a choice and maybe the more thought into having kids will stop people putting children into care and making them live a life of no hope for university or proper education because they will only have children they can afford and give the best life to.

[@CarlBland-l8l]

Not paying for chavs a the boat lots

[@harrysimms6742]

If you can't afford to the raise your children in the manner you want, why would you want more than you can afford to raise?

[@1001legoboy]

Back to one?

[@Sady786]

I DONT CARE IV KNOW MANY PPL WITH MONEY BUT IM HELPIN MY HUSBAND BACK UP FIRST.

[@user-qy9rt9cy2b]

No keep it how it is well let large families pay for their own children

[@craphat1873]

Why should i pay for more children that parents cant afford. Do not scrap the cap.

[@MinkieWinkle]

Child benefit is already too generous The cap should remain

[@estheraverill-kw3su]

No family needs more than 2 children. You want more than 2 - they are your responsibility. Stop whining - other countries manage to stop at 2.

[@silvermoonuk]

Keep the 2 kid benefit cap. If you cannot afford them, then don't keep popping them out.

[@claudiafigueiredo4979]

😊man being more compassionately that woman when it comes to children sad

[@stelladavis7832]

Why should I have to pay for others to have a kid when they can't afford it? And why encourage idiots who don't understand simple finance to have more kids?

[@jonathanhill9504]

Get rid of the benefit entirely, give it to schools/ youth clubs to feed kids on mass. Would be cheaper and probably healthier food. Less chance of the parents spending it on cigarettes while feeding their kids chips, nuggets and fizzy drinks

[@Boo-pv4hn]

Basically saying that you can only have children if your kid or higher range wealthy

[@CherryTree186]

Yes, it sounds about right. Getting a job to provide for the family is hard work.

[@motormouthalmighty]

about time?it should never have even been introduced mate!!young mothers on peanuts and all around the world,big businessmen are worth thousands of millions of dollars!i might advise the jobcentre to stop your dole money!

[@drkarenbukharibukhari9931]

Children safety 🦺 and children poverty should be solved by PM Keir starmer

[@Anonymous-zg8vi]

Child safety and child poverty are the responsibility of the parents. It’s the parents choice to have children, it’s a parents responsibility to keep those children safe, fed and clothed, their responsibility to teach the children honesty, respect, humanity, this responsibility should not fall on anyone else or the Government and if adults man or woman cannot take this responsibility then they should not be having children. Having children is an honour not to be abused.

[@CherryTree186]

This is the kind of mentality why people take advantage of the government. People are weak and expect people to pay for their kids.. if you care about kids, then don't have one for the sake of the future you put them into.

[@saywhaaaaat6464]

Nope. Your choice to be irresponsible and have loads of kids. I won't have kids as I can't afford it. Why should the taxpayers fund people's bad choices?