Andy Burnham calls for two-child benefit cap to be axed in direct challenge to Keir Starmer
Andy Burnham urges Keir Starmer to scrap two-child benefit cap
- Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has publicly urged Sir Keir Starmer to abolish the two-child benefit cap.
- Mr Burnham criticised the policy as "arbitrary" and "the worst of Westminster", arguing it unfairly penalises children.
- His intervention is interpreted as a direct challenge to Sir Keir ahead of the Labour conference, amidst suggestions that Mr Burnham is being encouraged by Labour MPs to seek the party leadership.
- Senior Labour figures, including Dame Meg Hillier, also support scrapping the cap, highlighting its potential to lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty.
- Abolishing the cap, which prevents benefits for third or subsequent children, would cost approximately £3bn annually, presenting a significant financial decision for the chancellor.