Move aims to bring in extra £1.2bn of savings as government seeks to head off criticism over welfare spending
You be the chancellor: play our budget game
Rachel Reeves will launch a fresh crackdown on benefit fraud at the same time as lifting the two-child limit for universal credit at a cost of £3bn, as ministers seek to head off criticism over rising welfare spending in the budget.
The chancellor has made the decision to scrap the two-child limit in full, a move that will be welcomed by Labour MPs who have long highlighted its effect on increasing child poverty.
However, the Conservatives and Reform immediately sought to portray the chancellor as presiding over a rising welfare bill at the same time as bringing in billions of pounds in tax rises for people who are working.
