7 d. ago BBC Question Time host Fiona Bruce halts show to make huge announcement

BBC Question Time host Fiona Bruce had some important news to share during tonight's show - Fiona paused a debate surrounding the lifting of the two-child benefit cap to make the announcement

Politics

1 week ago 'No wonder people are angry!' Kemi Badenoch reveals lifting the two

The Conservative leader stepped up her attack on Labour's 'Benefits Street Budget' by spelling out the true cost of the controversial decision to scrap the two-child benefit cap.

Politics

2 w. ago Labour’s child poverty strategy is a great step forward for social justice

Editorial: Lifting the two-child benefit limit – at a cost of £3bn – will improve the life chances of more than half a million young people. For this government, it is a move in the right direction

Society

2 w. ago Starmer’s priorities have changed. He needs to be honest about why

The prime minister’s claim that he always wanted to scrap the two-child benefit cap will cast doubt on his attempt to reassure voters – and his own cabinet colleagues – that he and the chancellor told the truth about tax rises, writes political editor David Maddox

Politics

2 w. ago Rachel Reeves defends Budget comments amid row over headroom

The Chancellor also defended her decision to abolish the two-child benefit cap.

Politics

3 w. ago Working people DON'T like the Budget! Poll finds public think Labour's package is unaffordable and unfair

Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Budget package was widely regarded as unfair and unaffordable, according to a poll.

Economics

3 w. ago By ending a cruel Tory social experiment, this budget clearly set out how Labour will fight the battle to renew Britain | Lucy Powell

The two-child benefit cap was a totem of 14 years of failed ideology. Now it is goneLucy Powell is deputy leader of the Labour partyYesterday the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, delivered a Labour budget. People have been asking for Labour’s purpose and values to be more clearly expressed. Through the choices made – a shift to a fairer tax system, targeting wealth to pay for tackling child poverty, good public services and the cost of living – we have clearly set out what we stand for.That’s why Labour MPs cheered in the Commons, and it’s why we are up for the fights to come. And it’s why the cries from the right began immediately.Lucy Powell is MP for Manchester Central and deputy leader of the Labour partyDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago I earn £93,000 and salary sacrifice £620 a month in my pension, what will the cap cost me?

In the Budget the Chancellor announced a future restriction on the National Insurance benefit of salary sacrifice pension contributions. Here's what you need to know.

Economics

3 w. ago Starmer says budget did not break manifesto tax pledge and scrapping two

PM says: ‘We kept to our manifesto in terms of what we’ve promised. But I accept the challenge that we’ve asked everybody to contribute’Ask the Guardian your budget questionsShare your views on the new ‘mansion tax’Budget calculator: find out if you are better or worse offThe Conservative party is attacking the budget on the grounds that Rachel Reeves is putting up taxes supposedly to fund more spending on benefit claimants. Even though the rationale for this claim is questionable, the Tories were making it before the budget was announced, and Kemi Badenoch firmed it up last night, claiming it was a “Benefits Street budget”.On LBC this morning, asked if the budget meant “alarm clock Britain paying for Benefits Street”, Reeves said she did not accept that. She said 60% of the families that would benefit from the removal of the two-child benefit cap (the most expensive welfare announcement in the budget) were in work.I don’t think children should be punished by this pernicious policy ...

Economics

3 w. ago Reeves should have included more tax reform in budget to help growth, IFS thinktank says – UK politics live

Institute for Fiscal Studies director says chancellors continue to ‘shy away from meaningful tax reform that could move the dial’Ask the Guardian your budget questionsShare your views on the new ‘mansion tax’ Budget calculator: find out if you are better or worse offThe Conservative party is attacking the budget on the grounds that Rachel Reeves is putting up taxes supposedly to fund more spending on benefit claimants. Even though the rationale for this claim is questionable, the Tories were making it before the budget was announced, and Kemi Badenoch firmed it up last night, claiming it was a “Benefits Street budget”.On LBC this morning, asked if the budget meant “alarm clock Britain paying for Benefits Street”, Reeves said she did not accept that. She said 60% of the families that would benefit from the removal of the two-child benefit cap (the most expensive welfare announcement in the budget) were in work.I don’t think children should be punished by this pernicious policy any lo...

Politics

3 w. ago Reeves dismisses Tory claims of ‘Benefits Street budget’ – UK politics live

Chancellor says 60% of families that will be better off after the two-child limit is scrapped are in workAsk the Guardian your budget questionsBudget calculator: find out if you are better or worse offThe Conservative party is attacking the budget on the grounds that Rachel Reeves is putting up taxes supposedly to fund more spending on benefit claimants. Even though the rationale for this claim is questionable, the Tories were making it before the budget was announced, and Kemi Badenoch firmed it up last night, claiming it was a “Benefits Street budget”.On LBC this morning, asked if the budget meant “alarm clock Britain paying for Benefits Street”, Reeves said she did not accept that. She said 60% of the families that would benefit from the removal of the two-child benefit cap (the most expensive welfare announcement in the budget) were in work.I don’t think children should be punished by this pernicious policy any longer. And the cost to society of this is huge, the cost for counci...

Politics

3 w. ago 'Children should not suffer': Readers respond to Rachel Reeves scrapping two

Some have supported Rachel Reeves' change to the two-child benefit cap, while others claim it is "financial irresponsibility"

Politics

3 w. ago Millions more dragged into paying higher income tax in Reeves’s £26bn Budget squeeze

Chancellor admits ‘I am asking ordinary people to pay a little more’ as she unveils 43 tax rises, but finally scraps the much-criticised two-child benefit cap

Economics

3 w. ago Martin Lewis gives Budget verdict and how new changes will impact your money

Rachel Reeves has announced the changes to this year's Budget, including scrapping the two-child benefit cap.

Economics

3 w. ago Rachel Reeves says budget will cut living costs after shock OBR leak

Chancellor unveils action on energy bills, rail fares and two-child benefit cap as she reveals £26bn tax risesHow does freezing tax thresholds affect your tax bill?Budget 2025: key points at a glanceRachel Reeves has declared her budget will slash living costs for millions including ending the two-child benefit limit and cutting energy bills, but taxes are set to soar by £26bn to plug a gaping shortfall in the public finances.Major measures in the budget leaked early in a shock accidental release by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), triggering an instant bond market reaction an hour before the chancellor was on her feet in the House of Commons. After months of speculation, Reeves said her measures would put the public finances on a sustainable path while building “a fairer, a stronger, a more secure Britain” by tackling inflation and investing in large infrastructure projects. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Voices: ‘A kick in the teeth’: Readers say Rachel Reeves’ Budget ‘punishes responsibility’

Our community overwhelmingly feel the Budget prioritises Labour’s political goals over public needs, hitting already-squeezed taxpayers with steep rises while offering little confidence in meaningful economic improvement

Politics

3 w. ago Labour Government scrapped two child benefit cap after “personal campaign” by Anas Sarwar

Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the Budget was good for Scottish Labour and gives Anas Sarwar gains to take to voters.

Politics

3 w. ago Budget 2025 live: Rachel Reeves announces £26bn plan for income tax, pensions and ISA cuts after OBR leak

Chancellor unveils series of tax hikes to fill black hole in public finances in addition to ditching two-child benefit cap and changes to ISAs

Economics

3 w. ago Budget 2025: DWP Universal Credit, PIP and Child Benefit rises

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces two-child benefit cap abolished as she says

Politics

3 w. ago Budget 2025 live: Rachel Reeves delivers £26bn tax rises after OBR leaks plan early

Chancellor unveils series of tax hikes to fill black hole in public finances in addition to ditching two-child benefit cap and changes to ISAs

Economics