Religious leaders attack two-child benefit cap, warning women could face choice between abortion or poverty

Apr 6, 2018 by Jill

by Ashley Cowburn, Independent:

A coalition of religious leaders have castigated the Government over the two-child benefit cap, warning that some women will be forced to face the “invidious” choice between abortion and poverty.

Urging the Government to repeal the contentious legislation, 60 Church of England Bishops, alongside the Muslim Council of Britain and the Board of Deputies of British Jews, claim the policy is expected to tip 200,000 children into poverty.

The policy — imposed by the former Chancellor George Osborne — came into effect last year and restricts the payment of tax credits or universal credits to the first two children in a family. Anyone who had a third child after April 2017 is affected by the change.

In the letter to The Times, the religious leaders write: “This policy is making it harder for parents to achieve a stable and resident family life. By 2021, 640,000 families will be affected.

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