Health Equity North directors’ statement following the removal of the two-child benefit cap

Today (Wednesday November 26, 2025) Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP announced in the Autumn Budget that, from April 2026, the Government will be lifting the two-child benefit cap. The cap was imposed in 2017 and meant families could not claim Universal Credit for third and more children born after 6 April 2017. The removal of this harmful cap has long been championed by Health Equity North, and its leaders have issued statements following this news:

“We warmly welcome the long-awaited removal of the two-child cap – this is an historic policy change that will transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of children and families across the North of England and beyond. Since 2017, the cap has effectively punished children based on factors outside their control, and plunged more families into poverty. Because poverty has no return on investment, the move has always been counter-productive in terms of cost savings – the original motivation for the enforced limit. We believe that its removal – and the immediate alleviation of half a million children from poverty – will prove to be a step towards the most vulnerable families being able to prosper. However, levels of child poverty will remain unacceptably high, and this move must be coupled with a cross-sector strategy to address key drivers of child poverty and reduce health inequalities.

“For almost four years, Health Equity North has been at the forefront of the campaign to end this unjust limit, championing the cause through evidence, partnership, and persistent advocacy.

“Since early 2022, Health Equity North have called on central Government for the cap’s removal in seven major policy reports, and have made it a central mission in our work to tackle health inequalities. Our team, alongside the Child of the North All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), have convened 12 APPG meetings to mobilise action against the cap, as well as contributed to Westminster Hall debates, and ensured the topic was front and centre at four high profile political events, keeping the spotlight on the urgent need for change.

“This landmark announcement is a testament to the power of collaboration, evidence, and relentless advocacy. We celebrate this milestone and remain committed to building a fairer future for every child, ensuring that policy continues to reflect the needs and rights of families in the North.”

Hannah Davies, Executive Director of Health Equity North and Chief Executive of the Northern Health Science Alliance

Dr Luke Munford, Academic Co-director of Health Equity North and Senior Lecturer in Health Economics, The University of Manchester

Professor Clare Bambra, Academic Co-director of Health Equity North and Professor of Public Health at Newcastle University

Professor Kate Pickett, Academic Co-Director of Health Equity North and Professor of Epidemiology, University of York

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