Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Image: PA)
Sir Keir Starmer is facing the threat of his first Labour rebellion just weeks after becoming Prime Minister.
More than a dozen Labour MPs have signed an amendment to the King's Speech by Kim Johnson to scrap the two-child benefit cap.
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Link Sponsored Link
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Health Benefits
Neuropathy & Nerve Damage? Do This Immediately (Watch)Health Benefits Watch Now
Undo
The amendment says it is "widely considered by economists and civil society organisations that removing the two-child cap on benefits would be the single most cost-effective and impactful policy to immediately alleviate child poverty levels in this country".
It calls on the Government to "abolish the two-child cap on benefits, which would immediately lift 300,000 children out of relative poverty".
Signatories include former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, ex-Labour Party chairman Ian Lavery and former shadow education secretary Rebecca Long Bailey.
Sponsored
Favorite Searches
Favorite SearchesUnsold Laptops Are Almost Given Away
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Don't miss... State pensioners to be hit by Labour's 'retirement tax' within two years [LATEST]
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle will decide if the amendment wiill go to a vote next week.
However, it is unlikely to pass if it is selected given Sir Keir's huge majority in the Commons.
The two-child benefit cap was introducted by the Conservatives in 2017 and prevents families claiming Universal Credit or child tax credits for a third child, except in very limited circumstances.
Sir Keir has come under ongoing pressure to scrap the limit from campaigners and unions as well as his own backbenchers.
Commons Leader Lucy Powell pointed to Labour's proposals for a ministerial taskforce, aimed at establishing a child poverty strategy, when challenged over the cap by Ms Johnson during business questions today.
Trending
The Liverpool Riverside MP said: "Forty-seven per cent of children in my Liverpool Riverside constituency are living in poverty.
"That's nearly one in two children and I'm sure the Leader of the House will agree with me that that is unacceptable.
"And while I welcome the Prime Minister's announcement yesterday for the taskforce, it did not mention the removal of a two-child cap."
Ms Powell said she understands this is "an issue very close to her heart".
She added: "As an incoming Labour Government, we are absolutely committed to tackling child poverty and all the root causes of child poverty, which is why the Prime Minister announced the Government taskforce looking at these matters yesterday.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
King's Speech: Rachel Reeves has 'left door open' for National Insurance tax hike
557 Comments
Keir Starmer's plans for Britain will "fix nothing", experts warn
132 Comments
King's Speech LIVE: Keir Starmer to 'take brakes off Britain' as Labour's plans unveiled
343 Comments
Labour plans ‘disappointing' for taxpayers as King's Speech fails to address 'crisis'
Comments
King's Speech bombshells in full - from the controversial new laws to what wasn't included
1501 Comments
Rishi Sunak has MP in stitches with joke as he delivers damning warning to Rachel Reeves
372 Comments
What to expect in the King's Speech - from tax crackdown to renationalised railways
550 Comments
Liz Truss erupts at 'flagrant breach of Civil Service Code' in angry King's Speech letter
811 Comments
Nigel Farage delivers his verdict on Labour's King's Speech with one damning sentence
1362 Comments
Living wage boost pledged as King's Speech claims 'cost of living' will help set pay
1 Comments
Starmer has had his true heir to Blair moment - and it'll mean more regulation for us all
23 Comments
The King's Speech shows just how radical Keir Starmer really is
32 Comments
Keir Starmer now fearing revenge from snubbed Emily Thornberry
86 Comments
Good Morning Britain fans all say same thing over 'car crash' segment with ex MP
3 Comments
Angela Rayner interrupted by BBC's Jon Kay in heated exchange: 'Are you frustrated?'
129 Comments
Labour civil war erupts as Keir Starmer slammed by MP over two-child benefit cap
225 Comments
Online Shopping Tools
Amazon's Worst Nightmare: Thousands Canceling Prime for This Clever HackOnline Shopping Tools
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer already facing first rebellion as hard-left Labour MPs move to humiliate him
1812 Comments
Fury at threat to means test state pension - how long have MPs been planning this?
86 Comments
Labour's controversial plans to concrete over Britain unleashed in King's Speech
124 Comments
King's Speech shows more taxes are on the way under socialist Starmer, Tories warn
888 Comments
King's Speech: Rachel Reeves has 'left door open' for National Insurance tax hike
557 Comments
Keir Starmer's plans for Britain will "fix nothing", experts warn
132 Comments
King's Speech LIVE: Keir Starmer to 'take brakes off Britain' as Labour's plans unveiled
343 Comments
Labour plans ‘disappointing' for taxpayers as King's Speech fails to address 'crisis'
Comments
King's Speech bombshells in full - from the controversial new laws to what wasn't included
1501 Comments
Rishi Sunak has MP in stitches with joke as he delivers damning warning to Rachel Reeves
372 Comments
What to expect in the King's Speech - from tax crackdown to renationalised railways
550 Comments
Liz Truss erupts at 'flagrant breach of Civil Service Code' in angry King's Speech letter
811 Comments
Nigel Farage delivers his verdict on Labour's King's Speech with one damning sentence
1362 Comments
Living wage boost pledged as King's Speech claims 'cost of living' will help set pay
1 Comments
Starmer has had his true heir to Blair moment - and it'll mean more regulation for us all
23 Comments
The King's Speech shows just how radical Keir Starmer really is
32 Comments
Best Searches
Seniors: Unsellable Prefab Cabins With Almost No Installation (Look!)Best Searches
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer now fearing revenge from snubbed Emily Thornberry
86 Comments
Good Morning Britain fans all say same thing over 'car crash' segment with ex MP
3 Comments
Angela Rayner interrupted by BBC's Jon Kay in heated exchange: 'Are you frustrated?'
129 Comments
Labour civil war erupts as Keir Starmer slammed by MP over two-child benefit cap
225 Comments
Keir Starmer already facing first rebellion as hard-left Labour MPs move to humiliate him
1812 Comments
Fury at threat to means test state pension - how long have MPs been planning this?
86 Comments
Labour's controversial plans to concrete over Britain unleashed in King's Speech
124 Comments
King's Speech shows more taxes are on the way under socialist Starmer, Tories warn
888 Comments
King's Speech: Rachel Reeves has 'left door open' for National Insurance tax hike
557 Comments
Keir Starmer's plans for Britain will "fix nothing", experts warn
132 Comments
King's Speech LIVE: Keir Starmer to 'take brakes off Britain' as Labour's plans unveiled
343 Comments
Labour plans ‘disappointing' for taxpayers as King's Speech fails to address 'crisis'
Comments
King's Speech bombshells in full - from the controversial new laws to what wasn't included
1501 Comments
Rishi Sunak has MP in stitches with joke as he delivers damning warning to Rachel Reeves
372 Comments
What to expect in the King's Speech - from tax crackdown to renationalised railways
550 Comments
"We were clear in our manifesto that the economic circumstances do not currently allow for us to abolish the cap.
"Economic stability is the single biggest thing we can do to ensure that children don't fall into poverty, because when the economy crashes, it's the poorest in society who pay the heaviest price."
The SNP has also tabled an amendment to the King's Speech calling for the two-child cap to be scrapped "immediately" as a "vital first step in tackling child poverty".
Related articles Keir Starmer's instincts are to turn Britain back towards Brussels Labour to ‘strip residents of their rights’ to protest over new housing State pensioners to be hit by Labour's 'retirement tax' within two years
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy