Bridget Phillipson has said scrapping the two-child benefit cap is "on the table", in the clearest sign yet that ministers could scrap the policy. The education secretary made the comments as she vowed to put child poverty at the heart of her Labour deputy leadership campaign.
She is seeking to head off a challenge from rival Lucy Powell, who has attacked "unforced errors" on welfare since being sacked from the cabinet this month. Benefits policy has emerged as a key issue in the contest, which will be decided in an online vote by the party's members.
Ministers have previously said they are considering scrapping the two-child limit, introduced in 2017, as part of a delayed strategy on tackling child poverty expected to be unveiled this autumn. Sir Keir Starmer has previously spoken of his desire to ditch the cap when economic conditions allow, without specifying exact circumstances.
Neither Powell nor Phillipson has explicitly called for it to be scrapped at the Budget in late November, but they have both been keen to stress they see the move as key to the party's wider promises on child poverty.
Published: September 19, 2025 5:23 pm
Source: BBC — Read original