Suella Braverman made an intervention in the Commons today (Image: Getty)
Suella Braverman has sparked an outcry from Labour MPs by calling for an end to the two-child benefit cap.
The Tory leadership hopeful said parties should “come together in the spirit of compassion and common sense” as she backed a policy that is supported by many Labour MPs.
The former home secretary said: “The thing that was conspicuous by its absence was the total failure of the Labour government to deal with child poverty and scrap the two-child benefit cap on welfare. Yes, you heard that right.
“I am indeed rising to speak on behalf of scrapping the cap. Now, in the grand tapestry of British politics, where the warp and weft of policy and principle interlaces, it isn’t often that you will find a Conservative MP find threads of agreement with friends across the aisle.
Don't miss... Nigel Farage makes shock prediction Tory MPs will defect to Reform [LATEST]
“But here we are discussing a proposal backed by Labour MPs … backed by the Lib Dems, the SNP and many opposition parties. And it’s one with which I agree, because it speaks to my profound sense of justice and, dare I say, compassion.”
During the King’s Speech debate on the economy and welfare, Mrs Braverman shocked the chamber when she called on Labour to scrap the cap.
She added: “I believe this cap is aggravating child poverty, and it’s time for it to go. Now I know the argument ‘don’t have children if you can’t afford them’. For me, that’s not compassionate, it’s not fair. It’s not the right thing to do.”
Sarah Sackman, the Labour MP who followed Mrs Braverman, said: “She’s had 14 years to fix the problems of child poverty and did precious little to do that.”
Introduced by the then-Tory chancellor George Osborne in 2015, the policy limits child welfare payments to the first two children in most families.
Meanwhile Kim Johnson, a Labour MP leading a rebellion over the Government’s refusal to scrap the two-child benefit cap, warned Sir Keir Starmer there is a “national crisis” on child poverty and “doing nothing” is not an option.
Don't miss... Tory infighting erupts as Suella Braverman given ultimatum over leadership bid [LATEST]
Trending
She told the Commons: “The last Labour government in 1997 had a big and bold ambition to end child poverty within a generation and as a single working mum of twins, I personally benefited from those transformative policies. Without the availability of after-school and holiday provision, I wouldn’t have been able to continue working.”
Ms Johnson also said: “Removing the two-child cap would send a powerful message of hope to those who have put their trust in a Labour Government to bring about the change we so desperately need.”
She added “there are pockets that can be found if we look hard enough”, including ￡700million from a more simplified Gift Aid system, and said: “Child poverty is completely avoidable in this sixth-richest country in the world. Not tackling it stores up problems for the future, costing our economy ￡39billion per year, according to calculations by the Child Poverty Action Group.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Rachel Reeves 'betrayed' voters by ditching the cap on social care costs, expert says
141 Comments
Southport stabbings: Keir Starmer heckled as furious local asks 'how many more children?'
1646 Comments
I know only one candidate can win the Red Wall back for the Tories - it's Robert Jenrick
52 Comments
Kemi Badenoch blasts leftie smears as she's accused of 'bullying' civil servants
179 Comments
Rachel Reeves admits taxes will RISE as Tory fury mounts over failure to defy unions
228 Comments
Rioting thugs have no respect for the grieving Southport families, Yvette Cooper blasts
797 Comments
Nigel Farage accused of being ‘Tommy Robinson in a suit' by murdered MP's furious husband
Comments
I'm a pensions expert - huge problem with Winter Fuel Payment cut means Labour will U-turn
1302 Comments
Incredible map shows how many new homes Angela Rayner wants to build where you live
98 Comments
Labour swiftly stabbed in the back by union after pandering to junior doctors' pay demands
144 Comments
Labour accused of 'shredding' housing targets in London despite urgent need
77 Comments
Lord Frost says only one Tory candidate is speaking honestly and can defeat Labour
45 Comments
UK firms addicted to cheap foreign labour - and British workers are sidelined
71 Comments
Nigel Farage's five-word response as he's called ‘Tommy Robinson in a suit' over Southport
293 Comments
Outrage as Labour make 'crazy move' in plot to bring UK closer to EU
1298 Comments
Angela Rayner's set to ditch big housebuilding rule and you're not going to like it
851 Comments
Andrew Neil slams Rachel Reeves and issues brutal two-word warning to Labour
253 Comments
Labour is ‘taking away money from pensioners on the breadline'
105 Comments
What is it like inside the Tory leadership campaign?
20 Comments
'I'm disgusted by Rachel Reeves' attack on pensioners - it makes life not worth living'
614 Comments
Rachel Reeves 'betrayed' voters by ditching the cap on social care costs, expert says
141 Comments
Southport stabbings: Keir Starmer heckled as furious local asks 'how many more children?'
1646 Comments
I know only one candidate can win the Red Wall back for the Tories - it's Robert Jenrick
52 Comments
Kemi Badenoch blasts leftie smears as she's accused of 'bullying' civil servants
179 Comments
Rachel Reeves admits taxes will RISE as Tory fury mounts over failure to defy unions
228 Comments
Rioting thugs have no respect for the grieving Southport families, Yvette Cooper blasts
797 Comments
Nigel Farage accused of being ‘Tommy Robinson in a suit' by murdered MP's furious husband
Comments
I'm a pensions expert - huge problem with Winter Fuel Payment cut means Labour will U-turn
1302 Comments
Incredible map shows how many new homes Angela Rayner wants to build where you live
98 Comments
Labour swiftly stabbed in the back by union after pandering to junior doctors' pay demands
144 Comments
Labour accused of 'shredding' housing targets in London despite urgent need
77 Comments
Lord Frost says only one Tory candidate is speaking honestly and can defeat Labour
45 Comments
UK firms addicted to cheap foreign labour - and British workers are sidelined
71 Comments
Nigel Farage's five-word response as he's called ‘Tommy Robinson in a suit' over Southport
293 Comments
Outrage as Labour make 'crazy move' in plot to bring UK closer to EU
1298 Comments
Angela Rayner's set to ditch big housebuilding rule and you're not going to like it
851 Comments
Andrew Neil slams Rachel Reeves and issues brutal two-word warning to Labour
253 Comments
Labour is ‘taking away money from pensioners on the breadline'
105 Comments
What is it like inside the Tory leadership campaign?
20 Comments
'I'm disgusted by Rachel Reeves' attack on pensioners - it makes life not worth living'
614 Comments
Rachel Reeves 'betrayed' voters by ditching the cap on social care costs, expert says
141 Comments
Southport stabbings: Keir Starmer heckled as furious local asks 'how many more children?'
1646 Comments
I know only one candidate can win the Red Wall back for the Tories - it's Robert Jenrick
52 Comments
Kemi Badenoch blasts leftie smears as she's accused of 'bullying' civil servants
179 Comments
Rachel Reeves admits taxes will RISE as Tory fury mounts over failure to defy unions
228 Comments
Rioting thugs have no respect for the grieving Southport families, Yvette Cooper blasts
797 Comments
Nigel Farage accused of being ‘Tommy Robinson in a suit' by murdered MP's furious husband
Comments
“And it’s not a question of whether we can afford vital policies to alleviate child poverty, such as lifting the two-child cap, it’s a question of whether we can afford not to.”
Ending her speech, Ms Johnson said: “This punitive policy needs to be consigned to the dustbin of history where it belongs.”
Sir Keir has said there is “no silver bullet” to end child poverty and acknowledged the “passion” of Labour MPs considering rebelling over the continuation of the policy that affects some 1.6million children.
Related articles Surprise frontrunner to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory leader emerges in poll New poll of Tory members reveals clear frontrunner to replace Rishi Sunak Lee Anderson has a 'dream' Tory leader - but not for the reason you'd expect Suella Braverman could defect to Nigel Farage's Reform UK party Suella Braverman skewers Starmer as she highlights key fact about Labour win
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