The decision to lift the Two-Child Benefit Cap in yesterday’s Budget (27th November 2025) has been hailed as a welcome start to tackling poverty on the Isle of Wight.
Councillor Michael Lilley, whose motion calling for the limit to be scrapped was passed by the Isle of Wight Council in March, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he was “delighted” with the announcement.
Lifted from April 2026
The two-child limit restricts universal credit support to two children in a family and removing it will lift 350,000 children out of poverty in the UK, according to the Child Poverty Action Group.
Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the cap would be lifted in full from April next year.
She said that the Labour government is achieving the greatest reduction in child poverty over a parliament “since records began”.
Lilley: In the 21st century UK we should not have child poverty
Councillor Lilley, the Liberal Democrat representative for Ryde Appley and Elmfield, said,
“I am delighted that the government has finally listened to all those campaigning against child poverty, including myself.
“I have been campaigning for over ten years on the Isle of Wight with an annual event around Pancake Day about the plight of families on the Island who without foodbanks would not survive.
“In the 21st century UK we should not have child poverty. My motion in March was highlighting the reality of families with three or more children being penalised due to this unfair cap resulting in poverty.
“We still must do much more to alleviate poverty on the Island, but this is a welcomed start.”
Quigley: This is why I am a Labour MP
Responding to the plans yesterday on social media, Isle of Wight West Labour MP and Cowes North Councillor, Richard Quigley said,
“This is why I am a Labour MP: this government is lifting 450,000 children out of poverty.
“That change will make a huge difference to life chances, education, and attainment.”
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
