The Scottish Government will effectively scrap the impact of the
two-child limit from 2nd March 2026, Social Justice
Secretary has confirmed.
On a visit to Busy Bees Bellfield parent and toddler group in
Portobello, Ms Somerville said the introduction of the Two Child
Limit Payment will mean 20,000 fewer children will be living in
relative poverty in 2026-27, according to Scottish Government
modelling.
Speaking ahead of a statement to parliament on the publication of
the annual report on Best Start, Bright Futures, the Scottish
Government's child poverty strategy, Ms Somerville said:
“The Scottish Government has consistently called on the UK
Government to end the two-child cap. Reports suggest that they
are looking at the impact it is having. But the evidence is clear
and families and Scotland can't wait any longer for the UK
Government to make up its mind to do the right thing and scrap
the cap once and for all.
“The Two Child Limit Payment will begin accepting applications in
March next year. At less than 15 months from when we announced
this in the Scottish budget, this will be the fastest that a
Scottish social security benefit has been delivered.
“This builds upon the considerable action we have taken in
Scotland, including delivering unparalleled financial support
through our Scottish Child Payment, investing to clear school
meal debts, and continuing to support almost 10,000 children by
mitigating the UK Government's Benefit Cap as fully as possible.
“However, austerity decisions taken by the UK Government are
holding back Scotland's progress. Modelling published in March
makes clear that if the UK Government act decisively on child
poverty, they could help to take an estimated 100,000 children
out of poverty this year.”
Background:
- On average, households with children in the poorest 10% of
households are, this year, estimated to be £2,600 a year better
off because of Scottish Government policies. This is projected to
grow to an average of £3,700 a year by 2029-30. Child poverty modelling:
update - gov.scot
- Scrapping the Two Child Limit will help keep thousands of
children out of poverty and reduce the depth of poverty faced for
many more. The Scottish Government's own modelling suggests
20,000 fewer children will be living in relative poverty in
2026-27 once this payment is introduced and the Scottish Fiscal
Commission estimates that overall around 43,000 children in
Scotland will benefit from mitigation of the two-child limit in
2026-27.
- The Scottish Fiscal
Commission has estimated the cost of the Two Child Limit
Payment to be £155 million in the financial year
2026-2027.
