4 d. ago Labour MPs call for benefit cuts to be scrapped after winter fuel payment U

Rachel Reeves has announced that around nine million more pensioners will receive the fuel payment this year

Politics

4 d. ago The Guardian view on Labour’s tough choices: they are costing the government dearly | Editorial

Austerity-era scepticism runs deep – and Labour’s abstract promises are falling flat as Nigel Farage rises in the pollsThe Labour government’s abrupt U-turn on winter fuel payments – restoring the benefit to more than three-quarters of pensioners – reveals less a change of heart than a sobering realisation in Westminster: after years of austerity, the public no longer gives politicians the benefit of the doubt. The irony is hard to miss. Labour set out to prove that “grown-up” economics means difficult decisions – only to find that once trust is lost, voters won’t accept vague promises without tangible results.It turns out many are sceptical that sacrifices will produce better results for society. That’s why ministers are struggling to justify cuts to disability benefits as a way to “fund” public services – or to convince the public that Britain can’t afford to lift the two-child benefit cap even as ministers claim they will reduce child poverty. There may be more conspicuous retrea...

Politics

5 d. ago UN demands major action as damning report shows child poverty impact in England

A report by UNICEF has called on Keir Starmer to lift the two-child benefit limit and recruit hundreds of health visitors as data shows the grim impact on childrens' health and learning

Politics

5 d. ago Children in most deprived areas more likely to visit A&E and be obese – Unicef

The organisation has called on the Government to lift its two-child benefit cap after its report on deprivation in England.

Politics

5 d. ago The Guardian view on child poverty: free school meals are a help, but not a panacea | Editorial

Giving lunch to more pupils is a good move – but poor nutrition points to deeper problems that ministers must faceIt was Ellen Wilkinson, education minister in the Attlee government, who announced in 1946 that free school dinners would be introduced, along with free school milk, at the same time as child benefit. No doubt Rachel Reeves, who has a picture of Wilkinson on the wall of her office, is aware of this – and also that the Treasury subsequently decided the policy was unaffordable. The meals were subsidised instead.Despite these initial charges, and later price rises, poorer children did gain, and keep, an entitlement to free school meals. The announcement last week that this is being extended in England to all those whose parents or carers claim universal credit – rather than restricted to families with incomes lower than £7,400 – should be welcomed by all objectors to child poverty. Being assured of a hot lunch in the middle of the school day makes pupils’ lives be...

Politics

6 d. ago LORD ASHCROFT: 'We can sniff Starmer's fear of Farage' say voters as they back winter fuel U

Voters have been wondering what it was about Reform's surge in local elections that prompted Starmer to tighten his immigration policy and row back the winter fuel allowance cuts.

Politics

8 d. ago HMRC sending letters to parents urging them to take action before summer deadline

Parents of teenagers will receive a letter about their Child Benefit claim.

Events

9 d. 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

1 week 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

1 week ago Parents warned child benefit could stop if they don't act ahead of looming deadline

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is warning parents that they need to take action to avoid missing out on Child Benefits which could be worth thousands of pounds each year

Events

1 week ago Bedtime stories: Three ways reading to your child at night can benefit them, according to sleep scientist

This timeless bedtime tradition is also backed by science 😴

Politics

2 w. 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

2 w. 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

2 w. 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

2 w. 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

2 w. 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

2 w. 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

2 w. 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

2 w. 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

2 w. 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