Labour's Phillipson suggests scrapping the limit on two-child benefits
Labour Deputy Leadership Race: Bridget Phillipson Emerges as Front-Runner
Bridget Phillipson, a seasoned MP and co-chair of the Government's child poverty taskforce, has secured a significant lead in the race for the Labour Party's deputy leadership position.
Phillipson, who grew up with experiences that have made her acutely aware of the challenges faced by children living in poverty, has garnered the most nominations from her fellow MPs and the backing of several trade unions, including Usdaw, Community, and the National Union of Mineworkers.
Phillipson's candidacy is seen as a favourable choice by Downing Street, following the departure of Angela Rayner from the position. She has expressed a desire to make tackling child poverty the unbreakable moral mission of a future Labour Government.
Phillipson's rival, Lucy Powell, has called for clarity from ministers regarding their intentions to abolish the two-child benefit cap, even if it would not be immediate. The two-child benefit cap, introduced by the Conservatives, has been a contentious issue, with Phillipson describing it as a "spiteful attack" on children.
The child poverty taskforce, of which Phillipson was co-chair in 2021, is expected to report ahead of the Budget in November with a strategy that includes recommendations on the two-child cap. Phillipson has stated that abolishing the two-child cap is "on the table."
However, polling suggests that Powell enjoys a substantial lead with Labour members. The bid to debate funding the abolition of the two-child benefit cap through taxes on online gambling and back profits was ruled out of order by the party leadership.
Mainstream, a new Labour campaign group, and Momentum, a mainstream and left-wing group, have accused the party leadership of blocking a bid to debate the issue at the party's conference later this month. Greater Manchester Mayor and reported Labour leadership hopeful Andy Burnham backs Mainstream.
The groups argue that allowing child poverty to worsen is a political choice and that Labour must choose differently. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has not committed to abolishing the two-child benefit cap, but has consistently declined to rule it out.
Phillipson's desire for a "mandate to go further" as deputy leader is clear, and her commitment to tackling child poverty could shape the Labour Party's approach to this critical issue in the coming years. The race for the deputy leadership position is heating up, and the outcome could have significant implications for the direction of the Labour Party.
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