Progress, but more to do…

Nicola Killean, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, said: “We’re pleased that the UK Government has finally committed to end the discriminatory two-child benefit cap, which was a clear violation of children’s human rights.  

“However, we are disappointed that this isn’t happening immediately – the change in policy will be little comfort to children who are going to bed feeling hungry tonight. 

“This office, charities, and third sector organisations across Scotland have long been calling for the policy – which does not allow benefits to third and subsequent children born after April 2017 in most circumstances – to be scrapped.  

“Poverty remains the most significant human rights issue facing children in Scotland today. Around one in four children are living in poverty. Poverty impacts all aspects of a child’s life including their rights to physical and mental health, to education, to access opportunities to socialise and play, and at its most serious, their right to life. 

“Scrapping this cap will lift children out of poverty, but there is still much more that the UK and Scottish governments can do. 

“They must ensure that both governments’ child poverty strategies are complementary and aligned. Crucially, children and young people must be meaningfully involved in their development and in monitoring and evaluating their impact. 

“Children have told me how concerned they are about the effect of poverty on themselves, on their families, and on their friends. They’ve talked about how it ruins childhoods. Scrapping the two-child benefit cap is a positive step, but more measures can be taken to tackle child poverty.”