Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Labour’s Rachel Reeves has proposed the removal of restrictions on benefits based on family size, hinting at potential changes in the upcoming Budget. The move is seen as a way to address the perceived unfairness faced by children in larger families. Reeves emphasized that she does not support penalizing children for circumstances beyond their control, suggesting a shift in policy direction.
Reports suggest that Treasury officials are exploring various options, including a tapered approach that would adjust benefit payments based on the number of children in a family. However, Reeves signaled her reluctance to limit benefits according to family size, highlighting the need to tackle child poverty effectively. She pointed to the previous Labour government’s success in reducing child poverty and committed to continuing those efforts.
In a separate announcement, Reeves indicated a departure from Labour’s election manifesto pledge not to raise income tax rates, VAT, or National Insurance. She emphasized the importance of making decisions that are in the best interest of the country, even if they deviate from previous commitments. The possibility of freezing income tax thresholds beyond the current timeline was also raised as a potential measure to generate revenue.
The debate over benefits for larger families has intensified, with calls for the removal of the two-child cap on certain benefits gaining traction. The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that reversing this cap could lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty but at a significant cost. Pressure from various quarters, including political candidates and advocacy groups, is mounting to address child poverty effectively. The political landscape remains divided on the issue, with differing views on the most appropriate approach to tackle this persistent problem
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.