The SNP has tabled an modification calling for the two-child cap to be axed, with the social gathering’s Westminster chief Stephen Flynn branding a brand new little one poverty taskforce arrange by the Labour authorities as a “cynical attempt to kick the issue into the long grass”.
While some inside Labour need the controversial coverage to be abolished, Keir Starmer dominated out making such a change in his first King’s Speech as Prime Minister.
Instead the Government introduced a brand new taskforce shortly afterwards, which can have a look at “all the available levers we have across government” to ship the “ambitious” little one poverty technique promised in Labour’s manifesto.
The SNP has tabled an modification to the King’s Speech calling for the two-child cap to be scrapped “immediately” as a “vital first step in tackling child poverty”.
And with Scottish Labour chief Anas Sarwar amongst these to have spoken out towards the two-child restrict, Flynn challenged the social gathering’s MPs from Scotland to again the modification – which has the assist of former Labour chief and now unbiased MP Jeremy Corbyn, in addition to the Green and Plaid Cymru MPs.
If chosen, the modification will go to a vote subsequent week, with Flynn insisting: “It’s shameful that Keir Starmer has made the political choice to continue imposing Tory austerity cuts, instead of delivering the change that people in Scotland were promised.”
The coverage was launched by the Conservatives in 2017 and prevents households claiming Universal Credit or little one tax credit for a 3rd little one, besides in very restricted circumstances.
Labour’s taskforce, to be led by work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall along with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, is predicted to fulfill for the primary time within the coming weeks.
The official announcement stated the group would think about “levers related to household income as well as employment, housing, children’s health, childcare and education”, however made no point out of the cap.
Flynn stated: “The Labour authorities shouldn’t want a taskforce to discover a conscience and do the fitting factor.
“This cynical try and kick the difficulty into the lengthy grass received’t wash with voters.
“For day-after-day that Starmer dithers and delays, extra kids will endure the implications of Labour inaction.
“The cap should go – and it should go now.”
He known as on Scottish Labour MPs to again the SNP’s modification, including: “If they fail, they must take responsibility for the child poverty their Labour government is causing in Scotland.”
The SNP Westminster chief continued: “Scrapping the two-child cap is the naked minimal required. Substantial motion is required to eradicate little one poverty, which is why SNP MPs are additionally urgent the Labour authorities to match the Scottish Child Payment by elevating Universal Credit by £26.70 per little one, per week.
“That would profit hundreds of households throughout Scotland – and if the Labour Party is critical about tackling little one poverty, they are going to match this SNP authorities motion as a precedence.”
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