THE SNP have said there is “still time for Keir Starmer to see sense” and axe the two-child benefit cap ahead of the King’s Speech.
The Prime Minister’s law-making agenda will be delivered on Wednesday morning and will unveil a package of more than 35 new bills.
But Labour have so far proven resistant to calls to scrap the two-child benefit limit.
The Tories proposed the policy in 2015, eventually putting a cap on child benefit payments linked to the number of children a person had in 2017.
The so-called “rape clause” provided an exception to women who could prove they had conceived a third child because they had been raped, but campaigners have said the process for proving this is invasive and degrading.
Earlier this week, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner (above) ruled out bringing an end to the policy, which experts estimate would cost around between £2.5 billion and £3.6bn.
'Take responsibility'
But the SNP have pledged to try to force a vote on the issue on Wednesday by tabling an amendment to the King’s Speech – saying Labour MPs voting against their proposals must “take responsibility for the child poverty they will cause”.
Stephen Flynn (below), the SNP’s Westminster leader, said: “People in Scotland voted for significant and substantial change at Westminster – and that promise of change must now be honoured, not broken, by the Labour government.
"The decision over whether to scrap the two-child cap is an early and important litmus test of whether the Labour government is capable of delivering the full scale change people in Scotland want to see – or whether it will impose the same damaging cuts and failed policies as the Tories.
"Eradicating child poverty is a priority for people in Scotland – and scrapping the two-child cap is the bare minimum required. There is still time for Keir Starmer to see sense. If he fails, he will be making the political choice to push thousands of Scottish children into poverty. That is inexcusable.
"The SNP will bring forward an amendment to abolish the two-child cap and tackle child poverty. It will then be up to Labour MPs in Scotland to vote for it – or take responsibility for the child poverty they will cause if it stays in place.”
Kim Johnson (below), a Labour left-winger, has also said she will table an amendment to push the issue.
Either amendment may be picked by the Speaker and would enjoy cross-party support with even some on the right, such as Nigel Farage, supporting the policy’s end.
But given the size of Labour’s majority it would take an enormous rebellion to change the leadership’s stance.
King's Speech to focus on growth
The confirmed contents of the King’s Speech include commitments to renationalise rail operators, a bonfire of English planning regulations to encourage housebuilding, and new devolution settlements for left-behind areas south of the Border.
The Prime Minister said: “Now is the time to take the brakes off Britain. For too long people have been held back, their paths determined by where they came from – not their talents and hard work.
“I am determined to create wealth for people up and down the country. It is the only way our country can progress, and my government is focused on supporting that aspiration.
“Today’s new laws will take back control and lay the foundations of real change that this country is crying out for, creating wealth in every community and making people better off – supporting their ambitions, hopes and dreams.”
