I am writing this column shortly before the House of Commons votes to remove the two-child limit on benefits that the Conservatives imposed in 2017.
When they left office, they left child poverty at a record high.
I will be proud to cast that vote, which will have the single greatest impact in lifting children out of poverty in decades.
It will take 450,000 children out of poverty, and even more will benefit from Labour’s expansion of childcare, free nursery hours, and breakfast clubs.
The statistics are clear that the majority are in working families.
In Warrington North alone, around 1,950 children will be brought above the poverty line by this measure, and this should be celebrated by all of us.
Some people, and some political parties, oppose lifting the cap and say they don’t want to pay for someone else’s child.
I reject such a short-sighted attitude and the willingness to turn a blind eye to widespread child poverty in our country.
We cannot have strong public services or a decent civilised society if each individual can simply opt out of contributing towards specific parts of public services they feel does not personally benefit themselves.
We all pay taxes for services we may not currently (or indeed ever) use – but, as someone with no children, I know that while I might not ever directly receive this help as a parent, I may very well benefit indirectly from a child who has had this support in the future, growing up and making their own contribution.
That is the very nature of the social contract we are trying in Government to rebuild.
As well as this being the right thing to do, it is a real investment in our future; we know that supporting children from the earliest age gives them the best chance in life in their health prospects, their educational achievements, and their career accomplishments.
The evidence is very clear about this.
On the other hand, poverty leads to mental and physical health challenges, economic inactivity, and is linked to increased crime rates.
Poverty and its consequences are estimated to cost the UK £40 billion a year.
Helping children grow up healthy and secure and able to reach their full potential is good for all of us and will mean a more successful, richer, and happier country down the line.
This change, for which I have been calling for years, is a clear demonstration of the priorities of Labour in government, choosing a better future for our young and a better society for us all.
