What's happened
The SNP has proposed an amendment to the King's Speech to eliminate the two-child benefit cap, citing its impact on child poverty. This move comes after Keir Starmer faced pressure to address the issue and announced a taskforce to tackle the rise in child poverty. SNP's Stephen Flynn criticized Labour for not scrapping the policy, which affects 1.6 million children, calling it a 'disgrace'.
Why it matters
The SNP's push to remove the two-child benefit cap highlights the ongoing debate around child poverty in the UK. This move puts pressure on the Labour government to address the issue and could impact policies related to social welfare and poverty alleviation. The outcome of this amendment could have significant implications for families relying on benefits for their children.
What the papers say
According to BBC News, the SNP's Stephen Flynn criticized Keir Starmer for not scrapping the two-child benefit cap, calling it a 'disgrace'. Sky News reported that the SNP urged Labour MPs to support the amendment, emphasizing the impact on Scottish children. The Scotsman highlighted tension between Labour and opposition MPs over the issue, with the SNP pushing for a commitment to remove the cap.
How we got here
The two-child benefit cap, introduced in 2017, restricts parents from claiming benefits for a third child, affecting 1.6 million children. The SNP's amendment aims to address the impact of this policy on child poverty, aligning with their focus on social welfare issues. Labour's response to this proposal will be crucial in shaping future policies related to child poverty and social benefits.
Common question
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The Labour Party is a centre-left political party in the United Kingdom that has been described as an alliance of social democrats, democratic socialists and trade unionists.
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
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Stephen Mark Flynn is a Scottish National Party politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for Aberdeen South since the 2019 general election.
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The Scottish National Party is a Scottish nationalist and social-democratic political party in Scotland. The SNP supports and campaigns for Scottish independence within the European Union, with a platform based on civic nationalism.