West welcomes child benefit reform

The West’s political leaders have welcomed the Chancellor’s decision to scrap the two-child benefit cap, announced in yesterday’s Budget.

Nationally, almost half a million children are set to be lifted out of poverty. Figures from 38 Degrees show that lifting the two-child benefit cap would mean a cash boost of more than £23 million for families in Bath & North East Somerset (£2.89m), Bristol (£12.28m), North Somerset (£3.42m), and South Gloucestershire (£4.48m).

Around 67,000 children (27%) across the West are estimated to be growing up in poverty, after housing costs. Yesterday, in a speech at Citizens Advice Bristol, the Mayor noted that this means that Ashton Gate, the Mem, Twerton Park, and the Rec could all be filled to capacity – with room still needed for another 5,000 kids.

The Chancellor’s Budget comes ahead of an anticipated child poverty action plan for the region being published next month, to complement the two-child benefit cap being scrapped and an upcoming national strategy on child poverty being introduced. The new regional Growth Strategy, which was formally approved by council leaders and the Mayor last month, set out an ambition to publish a plan by the end of the year.

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

“As Mayor, working with council leaders and government, my job is to make a difference to people’s lives across our whole region. This announcement isn’t just momentous in itself, for what it says about us as a society, but as a real acceleration towards a national child poverty strategy.

“With tackling child poverty already at the centre of our Growth Strategy, our regional child poverty action plan will make sure the West plays our part and pulls every lever we can get our hands on. After nearly a decade and a half of austerity, in this new chapter it’s time for hope.”

Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council and Deputy Mayor, said:

“No child should grow up without the opportunities they deserve, and this collaborative approach through the Growth Strategy which all councils have signed up to is a vital step forward to address this in our region. Our shared goal is clear: a fairer, more compassionate West of England where every child can thrive.” 

Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said:

“We welcome this announcement from government, and have long been campaigning to remove the two-child benefit cap because we know the devastating impact that continuing with this policy could have on our most vulnerable residents. Breaking the link between educational outcomes and children in poverty is one of our top priorities and we want to work towards creating a region where no child is left behind.

“We look forward to working with partners across the West of England to give families and children the best start in life, creating an equitable region that enables everyone to be safe, well and thrive.” 

Councillor Catherine Gibbons, Deputy Leader of North Somerset Council and lead for children's services, said:

“We welcome the chancellor’s announcement that the two-child benefit cap will be scrapped which will help lift families out of poverty across our region. Over 12% of children under the age of 16 years in North Somerset are from low-income families. Children and young people living in poverty are more likely to have physical and mental health issues, and lower educational attainment than their less deprived peers, all of which can challenge their life chances. As the cost of living crisis continues, we welcome the announcement that families in need will receive more financial support going forward. We encourage any North Somerset family struggling financially to get in touch. Every child deserves to have food on the table and a warm roof above their head, and we have a number of support packages which can help.” 

Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said:

“Child poverty isn’t just an urban issue - it affects rural communities too, where isolation and lack of opportunity compound the problem. We are already doing a lot of work in South Gloucestershire around tackling inequalities and ensuring children get the best possible start in life. Scrapping of the two child benefit cap is predicted to boost the finances of families in South Gloucestershire by £4.48m. We will continue to fight nationally and locally to end child poverty and we’ll work with the Mayor to ensure regional plans are designed to help us meet these challenges.” 

The regional child poverty action plan is expected to focus on reducing the cost of living, giving young people the best start in life, and connecting residents to opportunity through skills and transport. It follows Kids Go Free over the summer holidays putting almost £1 million back into the pockets of parents and carers, after more than 910,000 free bus journeys for young people. 

In September the Mayor joined former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and fellow mayors to highlight the importance of tackling child poverty, saying: “The West is seen as an affluent, progressive region but that reputation belies a painful reality. In Bristol, 35% of children are growing up in poverty. In some parts of our towns and cities, every other child faces that daily uphill battle. Our rural areas face similar challenges, with between one in four and one in five children in poverty, compounded by isolation and a lack of opportunity.”