Keir Starmer pledges to ‘work constructively’ with SNP Government on removal of two-child cap

Labour Leader Keir Starmer has committed to collaborating with the SNP Government in Scotland to eliminate the two-child cap on benefits. In a meeting with First Minister John Swinney in Edinburgh, Starmer expressed his willingness to work together on this issue, which has been a longstanding demand from anti-poverty advocates. The Scottish Government recently announced its intention to abolish the cap, but they require access to relevant data from the UK Department for Work and Pensions to determine the number of families affected.

The two-child cap on benefits, implemented nationwide by the Conservatives in 2017, has faced criticism for exacerbating child poverty. While Starmer had previously opposed scrapping the policy, he now appears open to collaboration with the SNP government in their efforts to address this issue. At a press conference in Edinburgh, Swinney confirmed Starmer’s commitment to working constructively on the matter, a statement corroborated by Labour minister Pat McFadden.

During the British-Irish Council summit, McFadden emphasised that both the UK and Scottish governments share a common goal of reducing child poverty. However, he faced questions from campaigners regarding the disparity between the SNP’s decision to remove the benefit cap and the UK government’s stance. McFadden highlighted the importance of funding commitments and the ongoing work of the child poverty task force before making further decisions.

Swinney expressed confidence that abolishing the two-child benefit limit would notably alleviate child poverty in Scotland. He stressed the necessity of cooperation from the UK government, especially in providing access to essential data from the DWP. Following a meeting with the Prime Minister, Swinney conveyed a positive outlook on collaboration, stating that the PM had indicated willingness to cooperate with the Scottish government on this crucial commitment.

Both governments, it seems, share a mutual desire to combat child poverty. Despite financial considerations and the need for data access, there is a collective acknowledgement of the urgency and importance of addressing this pressing issue. The collaboration between the Labour Party and the SNP government signifies a step towards a concerted effort in tackling child poverty and improving the welfare of families in Scotland.