Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleGreater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has publicly urged Sir Keir Starmer to abolish the two-child benefit cap. Mr Burnham criticised the policy as "arbitrary" and "the worst of Westminster", arguing it unfairly penalises children. His intervention is interpreted as a direct challenge to Sir Keir ahead of the Labour conference, amidst suggestions that Mr Burnham is being encouraged by Labour MPs to seek the party leadership. Senior Labour figures, including Dame Meg Hillier, also support scrapping the cap, highlighting its potential to lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. Abolishing the cap, which prevents benefits for third or subsequent children, would cost approximately £3bn annually, presenting a significant financial decision for the chancellor. In fullAndy Burnham calls for two-child benefit cap to be axed in direct challenge to Keir StarmerThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Andy Burnham urges Keir Starmer to scrap two-child benefit cap
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleGreater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has publicly urged Sir Keir Starmer to abolish the two-child benefit cap. Mr Burnham criticised the policy as "arbitrary" and "the worst of Westminster", arguing it unfairly penalises children. His intervention is interpreted as a direct challenge to Sir Keir ahead of the Labour conference, amidst suggestions that Mr Burnham is being encouraged by Labour MPs to seek the party leadership. Senior Labour figures, including Dame Meg Hillier, also support scrapping the cap, highlighting its potential to lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. Abolishing the cap, which prevents benefits for third or subsequent children, would cost approximately £3bn annually, presenting a significant financial decision for the chancellor. In fullAndy Burnham calls for two-child benefit cap to be axed in direct challenge to Keir StarmerThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
