Millions of benefit claimants can expect higher payments if Andy Burnham becomes Prime Minister. The former Greater Manchester Mayor looks set to take over from Keir Starmer in Number 10 and will inherit recently-introduced rules over child benefit payments.
Scrapping the Two-Child Cap
Starmer's Government has scrapped the two-child benefit cap, boosting the finances of some of the poorest families. He says this will result in half a million children being lifted out of poverty. The PM has, however, faced attacks for being soft on welfare and giving too much away in benefits. His likely successor Burnham will also have to respond to these claims.
The new MP for Makerfield has been an ardent supporter of scrapping the cap, which was introduced under the Conservatives. He said last year that the two-child limit "can't be defended". This indicates he will stick with the decision to ditch the two-child limit.
Increased Payments
It allows parents with three or more children to claim more in Universal Credit payments. Previously they could only claim for two kids and no more. People with three children will be paid £304 extra each month, while the amount will be £608 for households with four kids.
Burnham said of the two-child limit last September: “I never supported it, its introduction. It can’t be defended, because it’s arbitrary. Why does the third kid just get cut out or get less or why do all three if you’ve got three kids? I’m one of the three kids. My mum got child benefit for all of us … My parents always said to me something that has definitely guided me in my life – you can never visit the sins of the parents on the kids.”
