Why We’re Calling on the Government to Scrap the Two Child Limit and Benefit Cap
At Embrace, we stand alongside the families who face poverty, isolation, and trauma every single day -mothers raising children alone, refugees fleeing war, widows rebuilding their lives, survivors of domestic abuse, and families with loved ones in prison. Many of these families are being pushed deeper into hardship by two government policies: the Two Child Limit and the Benefit Cap.
These policies were introduced to cut welfare spending. But today, they are trapping families in poverty -and children are paying the price.
What Is the Two Child Limit?
The Two Child Limit prevents families from receiving Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit for a third or any subsequent child born after April 2017. Introduced under austerity measures, it was claimed to “encourage” families on benefits to make “responsible” choices.
But the reality is very different. Families don’t stop needing support because they have a third child. Many weren’t on benefits when their children were born. Life changes – illness, job loss, bereavement, disability- can happen to anyone.
This policy now affects 1.6 million children. In the UK’s poorest areas, 1 in 3 children are impacted. Each affected family is at least £3,514 worse off per year. That means fewer essentials, less food on the table, and more stress in already fragile households.
What Is the Benefit Cap?
The Benefit Cap puts a strict limit on how much a household can receive in benefits, regardless of their family size or local housing costs. It mainly affects families with young children – often single mothers – and worsens the financial pressure they’re under.
Those affected are more likely to live in deep poverty, often unable to cover basic needs like rent, heating, or food.
Why These Policies Hurt the Families We Serve
At Embrace, we hear the stories behind the statistics. Like the widow raising three children alone after her husband’s sudden death. Or the single mum who fled an abusive relationship and now struggles to afford rent and school shoes.
These families didn’t “choose” poverty. They’re doing their best to rebuild, often with incredible resilience and faith. But policies like the Two Child Limit and Benefit Cap push them down just when they’re trying to get back on their feet.
“I am a single mother of three children, all of whom have been affected by a traumatic experience of domestic abuse that has also left me with severe physical and psychological impacts. Due to my current health condition, I am unable to work and my income is extremely limited. I am facing serious financial hardship and struggling to meet essential needs, including uniforms, stationery, school meals, and transport.”
Children in these families are going without the basics – warm clothes, nutritious meals, safe homes – and are missing out on the joyful parts of childhood. This poverty isn’t their fault. But they are the ones suffering.
A Moral Call: End the Injustice
In Islam, we are taught the importance of protecting the vulnerable and standing up against injustice. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “He is not a believer whose stomach is filled while the neighbour to his side goes hungry.” (al-Bayhaqi).
These policies go against the values of compassion and care that we, as a society, should uphold. Poverty is not a punishment – and it should never be passed down to children.
What Needs to Change
We are joining voices with many others to urge the Labour government under Keir Starmer to scrap both the Two Child Limit and the Benefit Cap – policies that continue to cause avoidable suffering.
- Ending both caps would lift 600,000 children out of poverty by 2030.
- The cost? Around £2.7 billion a year – just 2.3% of the government’s working-age welfare budget.
- The impact? Huge. Less stress, more stability, and the chance for families to breathe again.
Take Action with Embrace
📢 Join our campaign to end child poverty.
📨 Write to your MP. Tell them no child should go hungry because of a cruel policy.
💝 Support our work. Your donations help single mothers, widows, and vulnerable families survive today – while we fight for a better tomorrow.
Real Lives, Real Impact
“I am in urgent need of support because I do not have enough money at the moment. I am under significant financial pressure and have large debts, which makes it very difficult to cover school costs for my children. My situation is challenging, and a grant for school costs would help me provide my children with the things they need for their education and relieve some of the financial stress I am facing.”
Let’s choose mercy over judgment. Let’s support every child, no matter their birth order. And let’s make sure no family is left to struggle alone.
📩 Add your voice. Raise awareness. Give what you can. Together, we can Embrace change.
The Hidden Costs of “Free” Education
For families already living under the weight of the Two Child Limit and Benefit Cap, the school year brings extra financial strain that many simply cannot afford. Uniforms, school shoes, P.E. kits, stationery, school trips, bus passes – these essentials quickly add up.
A recent survey found that UK parents spend an average of £287 per child on school uniforms each year. For families with multiple children – and especially those receiving no support for their third or fourth child – this becomes an impossible burden.
“I am struggling to purchase school items for my 3 kids. After paying my rent, I have just £180 monthly to spend for food, bills and other essentials. I am not able to buy anything for my kids. They will be happy if they get a chance to buy new school clothes and shoes.”
Children from low-income homes often go without proper uniforms, face embarrassment among peers, and can even be excluded from school activities for not meeting dress code policies. This impacts their self-esteem, mental health, and sense of identity.
That’s Why We Launched Our Back to School Campaign
At Embrace, we believe every child deserves to start the school year with confidence and dignity – regardless of their family’s financial situation. Our Back to School campaign is here to help struggling families by providing:
- School uniforms and shoes
- School bags and stationery
By supporting this campaign, you’re not just donating clothes – you’re giving a child the chance to learn without shame, and a parent the peace of mind that their child won’t fall behind because of poverty.
Help Us Help Them
💷 £380 can provide a full uniform set for one child
🎒 £50 can buy a school bag, stationery and supplies for the year
👟 £30 can cover school shoes for a growing child
👉 Donate today to our Back to School campaign
No child should be excluded from opportunity because their family is poor. And no parent should have to choose between food on the table and a pair of school shoes.
Together, we can restore dignity and open doors – one child at a time.