London Mayor Sadiq Khan has expressed his desire to see the abolition of the two-child benefit cap, introduced by the Conservative government in 2017, which restricts parents from claiming Universal Credit or child tax credit for more than two children. However, he refrained from aligning with rebel MPs who recently opposed the Labour Government on this matter.

In a statement following the debate and vote on an SNP amendment, which aimed to express regret that the abolition of the cap was not included in the King’s Speech, Mr Khan emphasized the importance of feeding concerns into the Government’s recently established Child Poverty Taskforce rather than opposing it outright. The amendment was rejected by 363 votes to 103, highlighting the new Labour government’s stance against making unfunded policy reversals.

Mr Khan, addressing journalists at the opening of London’s first ‘multibank’ in Greenford, supported by the Felix Project charity, reiterated his stance that the cap should be scrapped as soon as feasible. “There’s going to be a budget later this year. It’s really important that [Chancellor] Rachel Reeves asks the OBR [Office for Budget Responsibility] to look into her Budget and the figures this autumn,” he said.

The mayor praised the initiative at the multibank, which aims to distribute over 400,000 surplus essential goods to approximately 40,000 Londoners, as a step towards mitigating poverty which has escalated over the past decade. Reflecting on the achievements of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown in reducing child poverty, Mr Khan highlighted the stark contrast seen in the years following the Conservative administration.

While the mayor’s comments underscore a careful approach to policy advocacy within his party’s lines, they also reflect a broader concern about child poverty rates in the UK. The Child Poverty Taskforce led by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is expected to play a crucial role in addressing and potentially reversing the trend.

As the Labour government navigates its new policies and priorities, the two-child cap remains a contentious issue, with ongoing debates about its impact on child poverty and the overall welfare of families across the UK.