Labour member Lucy Powell has proposed raising taxes on gambling companies to generate funds for combating child poverty. Powell, a contender for the party’s deputy leadership position, commended the government’s initiative in implementing free school breakfast clubs but urged for the removal of the two-child benefit limit.
The policy, a remnant of austerity measures under the Conservative government, restricts Universal Credit to the first two children and has been criticized for exacerbating child poverty. Powell endorsed former Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s suggestion to revamp gambling levies, citing potential revenue of £3.2 billion to eliminate the two-child benefit cap.
Expressing her commitment to alleviating child poverty, Powell emphasized the importance of prioritizing children’s welfare and advocated for a clearer stance on policy changes. She stressed the need for Labour to champion the interests of the majority and emphasized the significance of addressing challenging issues within the party.
In response to Powell’s stance, her rival Bridget Phillipson, who leads the government’s child poverty taskforce and is a potential candidate for the deputy leader role, condemned the two-child benefit limit as “spiteful.” Phillipson signaled a willingness from Downing Street to reconsider the policy, indicating that all options, including its removal, are under consideration within the taskforce.
Phillipson affirmed her dedication to tackling child poverty, emphasizing the pivotal role of government leadership in driving meaningful change. She underscored the necessity of actively advocating for policy shifts within the government to fulfill Labour’s mission effectively.
The dialogue between Powell and Phillipson reflects a growing momentum within the party to address child poverty issues, with both politicians advocating for significant policy changes to uplift vulnerable children and families.