Child Benefit: 2 Child Policy

When first elected, I set my political goal as seeking out the silent voices – ie not to be pressurised only by the loudest, sharp-elbowed, and most articulate, and to foster a kinder society, through the political leadership we can provide.

Indeed, the test of a truly civilised society is not declaratory intentions and expressions of sympathy for those less able to care for themselves, but that the policy to practically assist those who have reached the point of need is supported, including help to enable those in need to fulfil their potential. The guiding principle of the UK welfare system, designed by our forebears in the Liberal Party, must be to ensure that none are left unable to meet their or their children’s fundamental needs for survival and participation in society.

But the social security system in our country is not working as it should: it is driving people further into poverty and forcing families to rely on food banks to get by, including here in West Cornwall. Needless to say, the previous Conservative Government doesn’t comprehend any of those values, preferred to scapegoat the victims of their divisive policies and failed millions of families and individuals who struggled to make ends meet.

Of course, I have always agreed we should remove the two-child limit child benefit cap. As you may be aware, when I sat in the government benches during the Coalition government years (2010-2015) I opposed my own government on these matters and led the campaign against policies which made matters worse, including the unjustified cuts in benefit for those who most needed it and the ‘bedroom tax’ etc. A difficult time for us all, but I’m proud of what I stood up for then.

The Liberal Democrats would:

• Tackle child poverty by removing the two-child limit and the benefits cap.
• Set a target of ending deep poverty within a decade, and establish an independent commission to recommend annual increases in Universal Credit to achieve it.
• Repair the broken benefits safety net:
  • Reduce the wait for the first payment of Universal Credit from five weeks to five days.
  • Scrap the bedroom tax.
  • Replace the sanctions regime with an incentive-based scheme to help people into work.
  • End the young parent penalty for under-25s by equalising the rate of payment for all Universal Credit claimants, regardless of age.
  • Fix the broken Statutory Sick Pay system.