“The entire Labour movement, in our CLPs and at our union branches must unite behind these MPs who powerfully stood up for families in their constituencies at the sharp end of the cost-of-living crisis.”
By Fraser McGuire
Britain has voted overwhelmingly for a clean break from failed Conservative policies which forced millions of workers and families into poverty, whilst a handful got rich.
The two-child benefit limit is a key driver of child poverty. Scrapping the cap would take hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty overnight.
So it is outrageous that Keir Starmer has removed the whip from seven Labour MPs who voted to scrap the two-child cap.
These MPs voted to strengthen Labour’s program for government by calling time on an unfair, cruel Tory policy.
The entire Labour movement, in our CLPs and at our union branches must unite behind these MPs who powerfully stood up for families in their constituencies at the sharp end of the cost-of-living crisis.
Scrapping the two-child cap is one of the most cost-effective ways to tackle child poverty.
It could be easily funded by increasing taxes on the wealthiest in our society. Over the last ten years, UK billionaires have doubled their wealth.
The truth is we can’t afford not to scrap the two child cap.
The two-child cap condemns thousands of children to insecurity, hunger and poverty.
It bars the way to healthy, fulfilling lives with the prospect of educational attainment and social mobility for an entire generation.
In Britain, the six largest economy in the world, poverty is a political choice.
Labour has won a landslide. It now has a responsibility to use this once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver real change.
*This (CLP/Union Branch) notes that:*
Research from the End Child Poverty Coalition showed the two-child benefit cap is a key driver of child poverty.
Save The Children estimate scrapping the cap could immediately lift as many as half a million children out of poverty
The Child Poverty Action Group considers scrapping the two-child limit the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty.
*This (CLP/Trade Union Branch calls on the Government to:*
Restore the Labour Party whip to the 7 Labour MPs who voted to scrap the two-child benefit cap.
Immediately begin work on legislation to scrap the two-child benefit cap.
- You can bring the model motion to your CLPs and Union Branches to build support for the call to reinstate the seven suspended MPs.
- Fraser McGuire is the Chair of East Midlands Unite Hospitality, Young Members Officer for Unite Hospitality, a member of the TUC Young Workers Forum, and an organiser for Arise: A Festival Of Left Ideas. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
- You can support a public petition calling on Keir Starmer to immediately reinstate the seven MPs suspended for voting to end the two-child benefit cap.
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