LABOUR GOVERNMENT SHOULD FOLLOW SCOTTISH GOVERNMENTS EXAMPLE – INTRODUCE THE SCOTTISH CHILD PAYMENT ACROSS THE UK, AND SCRAP THE TWO CHILD CAP AND THE RAPE CLAUSE – LOCAL MSP KEITH BROWN

Local MSP Keith Brown has called on the newly elected Scottish Labour MP for Alloa and Grangemouth Brian Leishman to put his money where his mouth is on child poverty, by following the Scottish Government’s example by introducing the Scottish Child Payment across the UK, as well as scrapping the two-child cap and the rape clause. 

Recent reports have suggested that after years of SNP pressure, the Labour party is considering aligning with SNP policy on the issue of the two-child cap and the rape clause – however, the Labour manifesto did not include any commitment to scrapping the cap – which limits access to child benefit to families that only have two children or less, unless the third child has been conceived as a result of sexual assault (the so-called rape clause) – nor did it make any mention of implementing the game changing Scottish child payment across the UK.  

Since the introduction of the two-child cap and the rape clause in 2017 under the Tories, the SNP has always been resolute in their opposition – while the Labour party has stood by the Tories every step of the way.  

Data provided by the End Child Poverty Coalition shows that removing the two-child cap would lift 250,000 children out of poverty across the UK. 

The Scottish child payment was introduced in 2021 and has increased gradually to a rate of £26.70 a week for every eligible child – with the payment increasing in line with inflation, unlike most UK wide benefits.  

The Scottish Child Payment has been labelled as ‘game-changing’ and will keep 100,000 children in Scotland out of poverty this year.  

In Clackmannanshire, more than a quarter (27.3%) of children live in poverty – with the Scottish Child payment being issued to support 3,655 children in Clackmannanshire Council area  – while the two-child cap is limiting the financial support available to 780 children across Clackmannanshire. 

Local MSP Keith Brown has called on the new Labour MP’s representing Scotland to scrap the cap on child benefit and introduce the Scottish child payment on a UK-wide basis.  

SNP MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, Keith Brown, said:

“Child Poverty is a horrendous issue here in Clackmannanshire, with over a quarter of children living in poverty.”

“The Labour party talk a good game on child poverty – but now the election is over, it’s time for them to put their money where their mouth is and actually do something about it.”

“I’m calling on them to follow the SNP policy on this – scrap the two-child cap, scrap the rape clause, and introduce the game-changing Scottish Child Payment across the UK.” 

“The figures show the difference that the Scottish Child Payment has made in Scotland – it’s time to go further – implement it across the UK and end the two-child limit and its rape clause, which is penalising larger families in Scotland through no fault of their own.”

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Child poverty statistics: More than one in four children in poverty in Clackmannanshire | Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser (alloaadvertiser.com)

Scottish Child Payment statistics: Scottish-Child-Payment-Tables-to-September-2023-773829172079.xlsx (live.com)