The lifting of the two-child benefit limit will affect nearly 1.7 million children as charities welcome Rachel Reeves ’ move to scrap the cap and give a boon to big families . The current system prevents parents from claiming Child Tax Credit or Universal Credit for more than two children, and was introduced in 2017.

Announcing the move, which is estimated to cost £3bn a year by 2029-30, Reeves said her party did "not believe that the solution to a broken welfare system is to punish the most vulnerable children" . But the Shadow Chancellor, Sir Mel Stride, said those on benefits should have to face "the same kind of decisions" as others regarding whether they can afford a large family.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Sir Mel Stride said lifting the limit was the "wrong" choice, adding

See Full Page