69 h. ago Charities welcome free school meals change but warn ‘more is needed’

Charities and school leaders welcomed the change but urged the Government to reconsider the two-child benefit cap to ease poverty levels.

Events

6 d. ago Voices: With families facing impossible choices, Labour’s should be easy

Editorial: New figures shared with The Independent show the extent to which families are relying on baby banks. The government’s plans to tackle child poverty should start immediately

Politics

7 d. ago Thousands of Britain's biggest jobless families in line for taxpayer

Labour and Reform are both pushing to ditch the policy brought in by the Tories in 2017 despite the £3.5billion cost it would incur.

Society

8 d. ago Starmer and Farage in ‘race to the bottom’ on child benefit cap, says Badenoch

Campaigners say the cap exacerbates child poverty and has had a minimal impact on birth rate or family size.

Politics

8 d. ago Kemi Badenoch takes aim at Nigel Farage and Keir Starmer for 'race to the bottom' over welfare handouts as Tory leader accuses rivals of asking taxpayers to 'fund unlimited child support for others'

In a feisty attack on the Reform and Labour leaders, Mrs Badenoch said the pair believed in getting taxpayers to fund 'unlimited child support for others' by scrapping the two-child benefit cap.

Economics

8 d. ago BBC Question Time audience snigger at guest's 'saucy' remark amid benefit showdown

Question Time, held in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire on Thursday, saw the panel discuss the two-child benefit cap, which Keir Starmer has this week hinted at easing

Events

9 d. ago 'Political incompetence': Labour veteran John McDonnell calls for grassroots challenge to Keir Starmer's government

John McDonnell, who was suspended from the party last year for voting to scrap the two child benefit cap, accused the Prime Minister of ‘callousness and political incompetence’

Politics

9 d. ago Sums behind Nigel Farage's vow to spend £85billion if he wins the next election 'are implausible', experts say

Nigel Farage unveiled a string of policies in a major speech, including scrapping the two-child benefit cap, reinstating winter fuel payments and raising the tax-free income allowance to £20,000.

Economics

1 week ago Is Rachel Reeves planning a 'stealth' tax raid on pensions? HMRC explores shake

The Chancellor is under growing pressure to raise billions of pounds to fund extra spending commitments and rising borrowing costs ahead of her autumn Budget .

Economics

1 week ago Nigel Farage is 'sticking two fingers up to hardworking British families' by calling for the two

The Reform UK leader used a speech on Tuesday to commit his party to axing the welfare restriction, claiming it was 'the right thing to do'.

Politics

1 week ago Nigel Farage vows to reverse Keir Starmer's cut to winter fuel payments as part of £85bn package

The Reform UK leader unveiled a string of policies in a major speech, including scrapping the two-child benefit cap and fully reinstating winter fuel payments.

Economics

1 week ago How WILL you pay for that, Nigel? Farage admits Reform's costings might be 'optimistic' as he vows '£80bn' tax cut while axing two

Nigel Farage trolled that Keir Starmer is 'terrified' of the threat from the insurgents as he committed to scrap the two-child benefit cap and fully restore winter fuel payments.

Economics

1 week ago Farage fails to guarantee pensions triple lock but vows to axe benefits cap

Nigel Farage says Reform UK will scrap the two-child benefit cap and reverse fuel cuts but refuses to commit to maintaining the pension triple lock.

Events

1 week ago Reform UK’s income tax plans ‘to cost up to £80bn’ warns IFS – UK politics live

Research institute says costs of plan to exclude those earning less than £20k from the tax will dwarf those of party’s winter fuel and two-child benefit changesThe co-leader of the Green party of England and Wales, Adrian Ramsay, has renewed his call for Russia to face greater sanctions. Posting to social media, the MP for Waveney Valley said “Putin has stepped up attacks on Ukrainian civilians because he thinks he’ll face no consequences. Much tougher sanctions are urgently needed to bring him into serious peace talks to end this horrific war.”As well as appearing on the media round today, shadow chancellor Mel Stride has written for the Daily Mail, saying that the Conservatives continue to back the two-child benefit cap. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Why after decades pushing rightwing causes, Farage has made a handbrake turn to the left

After around three decades in politics, Nigel Farage has begun to adopt leftwing policies. Political Editor David Maddox explains why

Politics

1 week ago Nigel Farage blasted for 'fantasy economics' as Reform claims £225billion savings by axing net zero projects

Nigel Farage is calling for the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap and restoring the winter fuel payment to all pensioners

Economics

1 week ago DWP Universal Credit 'two child' rule update as 'it's not off the table'

The Government has faced calls from campaigners, opposition MPs and some Tory backbenchers to scrap the two-child benefit cap

Politics

1 week ago Farage parks his tanks on Labour's lawn: Reform will vow to scrap two

Nigel Farage is attempting to outflank Keir Starmer by committing to scrap the two-child benefit cap and fully restore winter fuel payments.

Events

1 week ago Half of ‘red wall’ voters disapprove of Labour’s handing of benefits, says poll

Reform UK most trusted on benefits with Nigel Farage expected to say he would scrap two-child limitNearly half of all “red wall” voters disapprove of the way Keir Starmer’s government has dealt with benefits-related policy, a poll has found, as ministers faced continued pressure over winter fuel and disability payments, and the two-child benefit cap.According to the survey across 42 traditionally Labour seats won by the Conservatives in 2019, 48% of all voters had a somewhat or strongly negative view of the government’s handling of the policies, against 25% who approved. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Half of ‘red wall’ voters disapprove of Labour’s handling of benefits, says poll

Reform UK most trusted on benefits with Nigel Farage expected to say he would scrap two-child limitNearly half of all “red wall” voters disapprove of the way Keir Starmer’s government has dealt with benefits-related policy, a poll has found, as ministers faced continued pressure over winter fuel and disability payments, and the two-child benefit cap.According to the survey across 42 traditionally Labour seats won by the Conservatives in 2019, 48% of all voters had a somewhat or strongly negative view of the government’s handling of the policies, against 25% who approved. Continue reading...

Politics