Former Labour PM Gordon Brown is expected to pile further pressure on the government to scrap the two-child benefit limit as he delivers a key speech on poverty
Gordon Brown will today describe child poverty as a “shameful epidemic” in Britain.
In a major speech the former Labour Prime Minister will warn the issue is a huge cause of social division and the “biggest threat” to the country’s economy. There are around 4.5million children living in poverty and warnings from experts the figure could increase without urgent government action.
Mr Brown will say: “What has become a UK-wide child poverty emergency is not only the biggest cause of social division in our country but – because of the failure to equip young people for future work – it is also the biggest threat to our long-term economic future.”
Mr Brown has previously called for the two-child benefit limit – a policy blamed for trapping kids in poverty – to be scrapped by ministers. Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves are considering axing or watering down the Tory-era austerity policy as part of a child poverty review.
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Last week the Resolution Foundation said child poverty rates will hit a historic high of 34% – around 4.8million children- by the end of the decade without urgent action. Half measures – such as moving to a three-child limit – would still leave higher rates of child poverty by the end of the decade, the think-tank said.
It is understood Mr Brown backs full abolition and his comments on child poverty today are likely to pile further pressure on the Chancellor to act at the Budget. In the speech to mark the 60th anniversary of Child Poverty Action Group, Mr Brown will say “lifting 500,000 children out of poverty is within grasp”.
The former Labour Chancellor will cite new research showing the vast majority of the public back action. Polling by the 38 Degrees campaign group shows 64% of voters would back slapping higher levies on gambling firms to fund a reduction in child poverty.
It also shows widespread support across the country, with at least 50% of people in 623 out of 632% constituencies across the country backing the idea. This is a policy proposal Mr Brown has previously supported, which claims £3.2billion could be raised to finally scrap the two-child benefit limit.
Mr Brown is expected to call for the creation of a permanent UK-wide, all-party anti-poverty alliance of charities, foundations, businesses and faith groups to work with governments across the four nations to tackle rising child poverty. He will add: “This is urgently needed to take half a million children out of poverty from April next year and to meaningfully tackle Britain’s shameful epidemic of child poverty.”
The government is expected to publish the results of its child poverty review in the coming weeks, which has examined the two-child benefit limit. They have also highlighted support including extending free school meals and new breakfast clubs to help kids in primary schools.
