FAILURE OF LOCAL LABOUR MP’S TO VOTE TO SCRAP THE CAP DESPITE ELECTION PROMISES ‘DEEPLY SHAMEFUL’ SAYS LOCAL MSP KEITH BROWN

MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane Keith Brown has condemned the decision of the newly elected Scottish Labour MPs to vote to keep the two-child cap and rape clause, which limits access to child benefit to families that have two children or less – unless the third child has been conceived as a result of sexual assault. 

The continuation of the two-child cap and rape clause was backed by local Labour MPs, Chris Kane for Stirling, and Brian Leishman for Alloa and Grangemouth. This is despite Mr. Kane stating in an interview with Holyrood magazine in July that “taking on problems such as eliminating child poverty” was one of his key motivators for joining politics, and Brian Leishman vowing to tackle child poverty following his election.  

The amendment to scrap the cap was introduced by the SNP, and all SNP MPs voted in favour of scrapping it – as they have done consistently since the measure’s introduction in 2017. 

Before the election, Scottish voters were promised that Scottish Labour MPs would put Scotland at the heart of Government, and that, when necessary, they would stand up to the UK Labour party, including on scrapping the two-child cap.  

Instead, just weeks after the election, Scottish Labour have been shown to be nothing more than a branch office of the UK Labour party; it is clear that Scottish Labour MP’s have no influence over their London bosses. 

In Stirling, 20.8% of children – more than a fifth – live in poverty, while the two-child cap takes financial support away from 770 children across Stirling. In Clackmannanshire, 27.3% of children – more than a quarter – live in poverty, and the two-child cap takes financial support away from 780 children.  

The latest data, published by the Department for Work and Pensions, reveals the typical cost of the two-child cap to a family in Scotland this year was £287.92 a month – or £3455 a year – for families with three children, and £575.84 a month – £6910 a year – for families with four children.  

In total, some of the poorest families in Scotland have lost a combined £454.8million in financial support since the policy was introduced in 2017/18.  

Local MSP Keith Brown has condemned Scottish Labour’s decision, stating that it shows that the Labour party have no real desire to tackle child poverty.

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

“Child Poverty is a horrendous issue here in Stirling and Clackmannanshire – with over a fifth of children in Stirling, and more than a quarter of children in Clackmannanshire living in poverty – that is unacceptable in energy rich Scotland.”

“We were repeatedly told by Anas Sarwar and Keir Starmer that Scottish Labour MPs would be at the heart of Government, that they would lead change – instead, they’ve just been forced to back one of the Tories most devastating policies, despite previously saying they were against it – it is now Labour’s two-child cap and rape clause.”

“As I said last week, the Labour party talk a good game on child poverty, but now the election is over, they need to actually do something about it – they’ve failed to do so.”

“It proves, as ever, the old adage that Scottish Labour are just a branch office of the UK Labour party.”

“When it comes to it, they will always back their London bosses, even on issues as gravely serious as child poverty – I predict that this will not be the last instance of this over this Parliament.”