Bishop of Leicester asks about impact of the two-child benefit limit

The Bishop of Leicester asked a question on the impact of the two-child limit on families receiving child benefit payments on 11th March 2024:

The Lord Bishop of Leicester: My Lords, there is strong evidence that in the early 2000s increases in child benefits led to an increase in the amount parents spent on fruit and vegetables and books and toys for their children. What assessment have the Government made of the impact of the two-child limit on benefits and, in particular, on the health and well-being of the 1.5 million children affected?

Lord Markham (Con): We recognise very much, as said in the report, the importance of poverty in all this. We have seen the number children in absolute poverty decrease by 400,000 since 2010, which is a significant reduction. The Chancellor’s announcement last week showed the importance we place on child benefit in getting money to people to help. It is a very important area.

Hansard