Hexham mum reacts as two child benefit cap is scrapped

Around lunchtime last Wednesday (November 26), the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, revealed the UK's annual budget.

Among the major announcements unveiled were tax rises, a freeze of income tax thresholds until April 2031 and, from April 2026, an end to the controversial two-child benefit cap.

The move, set to cost taxpayers £3 billion by the end of this Parliament - according to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), the government's independent spending watchdog - is expected to lift around 450,000 children out of poverty by 2029/30, including 70,000 in the North East.

Rachel Reeves after delivering her Budget in the House of Commons (Image: House of Commons/PA Wire)

Since the two-child benefit cap was introduced in April 2017, Rosie Gilchrist, founder of Hexham-based children’s charity Rosie’s Corner, has campaigned to end the policy.

In April, Rosie joined families to deliver a letter to Rachel Reeves in London with the End Child Poverty coalition, urging the government to scrap the cap.

The mother of three has now called the confirmation of the end to the policy a 'huge' and 'emotional' step forward.

"For families across our region, it’s a lifeline. The two-child limit has hit rural and low-income communities especially hard, where childcare costs, transport barriers, and limited work opportunities already make life tougher.

"It means fewer impossible choices. Parents won’t have to choose between heating a home and feeding a child. Children won’t grow up feeling the impact of a policy that was never their fault. It gives families breathing space and a chance to focus on relationships, school, wellbeing, and building a more secure future instead of just surviving day to day.

Reporting that 44 per cent of the Rosie's Corner service users are employed, the charity worker says, "It’s not only unemployed families who’ve been affected by the policy," and that the end of the cap "isn't about families wanting a free handout or avoiding work."

"These are hardworking parents doing everything right, but the policy has pushed them into hardship. The comment 'don’t have kids if you can’t afford them' ignores the fact that life is unpredictable; job losses, bereavement, illness, separation, or economic downturns can affect any family.

"Support services exist to make sure children don’t suffer because of circumstances their parents didn’t plan for. Our community believes in helping children, not judging families. We’d rather work together to make sure local children are warm, fed, and supported than point fingers at parents who are doing their best."

Leaders from other local support services have also praised the end of the two-child benefit cap.

Rachel Turnbull, operations director at Citizens Advice Northumberland, said that the budget will make a 'real difference' to the people they support.

"Ending the two-child limit and taking action on soaring energy bills means hundreds of thousands of children won’t grow up in poverty, and families across the country will be able to keep the lights on," she said

"Our advisers see every day what harsh policies and rising costs do to people - parents having to choose between buying food or topping up the meter is something no one should face (Image: EWishart)

"These commitments are a much-needed turning point. We just hope the Government keeps going, because there’s still a long way to go before every household can live without the fear of poverty."

Sam Gilchrist, CEO at West Northumberland Food Bank, says that the charity 'welcomes' the end to the cap, and has urged decision makers to continue to listen to local organisations and communities, so that changes respond to 'real needs' and 'benefit' those that need them the most.

WHAT’S YOUR VIEW? If you have an opinion on this story or any other issue, then let us know and be featured in our newspaper. Email letters.hx@cnmedia.co.uk.