SNP GOVERNMENT TO SCRAP TWO-CHILD CAP FROM 2ND MARCH 2026
- clareadamsonmsp
- Jun 17
- 3 min read
LABOUR POLICY AFFECTS 2000 NORTH LANARKSHIRE HOUSEHOLDS
Clare Adamson MSP has hailed SNP action which will support 2000 families in North Lanarkshire who are impacted by the two-child cap, as the Scottish Government confirmed the Labour policy will be effectively scrapped in Scotland from 2nd March 2026.
The two-child cap restricts support in universal credit to two children in a family. It was introduced under the Tories and the Labour UK Government has kept the cap in place, despite campaigning against it in opposition.
The two-child cap is a key driver of child poverty and anti-poverty charities have repeatedly called for the UK Government to scrap it.
The Child Poverty Action Group says scrapping the two-child limit is the most cost-effective way to start to reduce child poverty. It would lift 350,000 children out of poverty and mean 700,000 children are in less deep poverty UK wide.
Though the policy is reserved to Westminster, the SNP will use its limited powers over social security in Scotland to mitigate the effect of the two child cap with a separate payment administered by Social Security Scotland. By doing so, the SNP Government is ensuring 20,000 fewer children will live in relative poverty next year.
In contrast, the UK Government has not acted on the two child cap and it will push 250,000 people - including 50,000 children - into poverty with Labour’s additional cuts to support for disabled people.
Ms Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, said:
“The two-child cap is a huge driver of child poverty. Why Labour continues to protect this appalling Tory policy is beyond me. People in my Motherwell and Wishaw community are directly harmed by the two-child cap. From March next year, that will end under this SNP government.
“We have repeatedly called on successive UK Government’s to scrap this cruel and damaging policy. Scottish families cannot afford to wait any longer. 26,000 households across Scotland are impacted by this policy while the Labour government shrugs its shoulders.
“Once again, it is up to the SNP to mitigate the worst impacts of Westminster policy. John Swinney’s government will lift 20,000 children out of poverty, making progress on the key mission of this Scottish Government: to eradicate child poverty.
“I get frustrated talking about mitigation. We could make further and faster progress if decisions about Scotland were taken in an independent Scotland. But with the limited powers we have, we will always act to protect the people here.
“Labour politicians lined up to protest the two child cap when it was the Tories in charge. But one sniff of power and they abandon their principles. We cannot wait for them to act.
“The Labour Party has kept the cap. The SNP will scrap it. That is what standing up for Scotland looks like.”
NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS AFFECTED BY THE TWO-CHILD BENEFIT CAP, BY LOCAL AUTHORITY (APR 2024)
Local Authority | Households affected by policy |
Aberdeen City | 760 |
Aberdeenshire | 840 |
Angus | 540 |
Argyll and Bute | 330 |
City of Edinburgh | 1,600 |
Clackmannanshire | 310 |
Dumfries and Galloway | 760 |
Dundee City | 910 |
East Ayrshire | 760 |
East Dunbartonshire | 240 |
East Lothian | 480 |
East Renfrewshire | 310 |
Falkirk | 750 |
Fife | 2,100 |
Glasgow City | 4,500 |
Highland | 1,000 |
Inverclyde | 380 |
Midlothian | 500 |
Moray | 440 |
Na h-Eileanan Siar | 80 |
North Ayrshire | 820 |
North Lanarkshire | 2,000 |
Orkney Islands | 80 |
Perth and Kinross | 590 |
Renfrewshire | 790 |
Scottish Borders | 490 |
Shetland Islands | 80 |
South Ayrshire | 490 |
South Lanarkshire | 1,500 |
Stirling | 310 |
West Dunbartonshire | 560 |
West Lothian | 950 |
Unknown Scottish Local Authority | 50 |
Scotland | 26,000 |
UK | 440,000 |
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