Two Child Policy Letter to Scottish MPs

Letter

Dear [MP’s Name],

Support for the Removal of the Two-Child Limit in the Upcoming UK Budget

I hope you are well. I am writing to you on behalf of One Parent Families Scotland , the national single parent charity committed to supporting the well-being and development of parents and children across Scotland. As we approach the UK Budget announcement on 30th October 2024, I am writing to urge you to support the removal of the two-child limit on benefits. I have attached an OPFS briefing which explains in detail the reasons for supporting the abolition of this policy.

The two-child limit has had a profound impact on many families, pushing them further into poverty and hardship. Our charity has witnessed first-hand the struggles faced by families who are unable to provide adequately for their children due to this policy. The limit disproportionately affects single parent families, often leading to difficult choices that no parent should have to make.

In Scotland, where we pride ourselves on our commitment to social justice, it is extremely important that we take a stand against policies that harm our most vulnerable families. Removing the two-child limit would be a crucial step towards ensuring that all children, regardless of their birth order, can thrive.

Key Points for Consideration:

I hope you will consider the following points in your support for the removal of the two-child limit:

1. Child Poverty: The two-child limit has been directly linked to increasing child poverty rates. Removing this limit would provide immediate financial relief to struggling families and help lift children out of poverty.
2. Equality and Fairness: Every child deserves equal support and opportunities. The two-child limit unfairly penalises larger families and contradicts the principles of fairness and equality that we hold dear.
3. Economic Impact: Supporting families adequately can have positive long-term economic benefits. Children who grow up in poverty are more likely to face challenges with their health, in education and in employment, for which there is a cost to society.
4. Moral Responsibility: As representatives of the people, it is your moral duty to protect and support the most vulnerable members of our society. Removing the two-child limit is a step towards fulfilling this responsibility.

We believe that every child deserves the best possible start in life, regardless of their family’s size or financial situation.

The well-being of many children and families hangs in the balance, and your support could make a transformative difference to the lives of many families in your constituency and across the UK. I would be interested to know if in principle you support the removal of the two-child limit?  Do you agree that the removal should be introduced in the Oct 24 budget and if not, what are your reasons?  If the removal is recommended by the UK government poverty task force in 2025, will you support that recommendation?

I would also be happy to meet to discuss this matter further and to explore how we can work together to support single parent families in your constituency.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Satwat Rehman

Chief Executive. One Parent Families Scotland

This briefing paper aims to highlight the impact of the two-child limit on single parent families and why we think it should be abolished in the UK October 2024 budget.