Kinship Carers: Two-child Limit Policy

Debate between Lord Mackay of Clashfern and Baroness Buscombe

Monday 11th December 2017 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Buscombe]

My Lords, the Government are looking at this policy at the moment, as I have already said. We do not believe we are being callous. The Government’s view is that providing support for a maximum of two children in universal credit and child tax credit will ensure fairness between claimants on the one hand and, on the other hand, those taxpayers who support themselves solely through work.

[Lord Mackay of Clashfern (Con)]

My Lords, I had understood when this matter was discussed that the theory underlying the proposal was that those who by their own choice landed themselves with more than two children had to support the extra children with whom they had landed themselves. However, the case that we have just been talking about is not that; there was at the very least a moral obligation for that lady to take her siblings. It would therefore be right to say that it is not in accordance with the principle underlying the proposal that this case should be treated as it apparently has been so far. I hope the Government will reconsider it.

[Baroness Buscombe]

I thank my noble and learned friend for his question.