SIR Keir Starmer yesterday hinted he’s ready to heed the demands of Labour rebels and scrap the two-child benefit cap.
The PM gave his strongest indication yet that he will that limits handouts for a third kid.
Laying the groundwork for a U-turn on his election claim the cap won’t be abandoned, Sir Keir said he was “determined to drive down child poverty”;.
Visiting a glass manufacturing plant in Warrington, on three occasions he wouldn’t rule out a change in policy.
Amid growing pressure from furious backbench MPs, Sir Keir insisted ministers were “looking at all options”; around tackling poverty among kids.
He said: “One of the proudest things that the last Labour government did was to drive down child poverty.
“I think there are a number of components — there isn’t a single bullet — but I’m absolutely determined that we will drive this down and that’s why we’ll look at all options, all ways of down child poverty.
“I’m so proud the last Labour government did it and I’m so pleased that we are taking up that challenge to do it with this Labour government and that’s what we will do.”;
It comes as Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride this week warned Sir Keir has “no mandate”; for scrapping the two-child benefit cap.
The top Tory blasted the PM for preparing to splurge billions on ditching another of his election pledges in sop to Labour lefties.
In the build up to July’s ballot,declared he wouldn’t abandon the cap, and didn’t include any policy around abolition in his.
Furioussaid: “He promised he wouldn’t do it, but now it looks as though he’s going to break that promise and spend billions more.
“Reversing the cap isn’t just irresponsible, it’s unfair.
“show they can’t be trusted with your.”;
Chancellor is under huge pressure from Labour figures – including– to lift the 2cap, which limits the fullparents can get to two children.
Siris looking at lifting the cap after a revolt from his MPs – but it would cost around £3 billion a year.
With Treasury coffers running low, No11 is expected to have to raise taxes to pay for the benefit.
Last week Education Secretary confirmed that abolishing the cap is “on the table”;.
Asked whether ministers are planning to abolish the cap, Ms Phillipson told Times Radio:“It’s on the table.
“No measures are off the table.”;
The Education Secretary added: “We’ve always been clear about that and of courseis an important element of how we tackle child poverty.
“It’s not the only area. Childcare plays an important role, skills, how we ensure that more people are able to get back into work.
“There are lots of ways that the Child Poverty Task Force is considering how we can lift children out of poverty.
“But of course we can’t ignore the impact of social security changes, social security changes that were introduced by the Conservatives that a Labour government would not have introduced in the first place.
“But it’s tough, it’s challenging.”;
