Thousands of families in Ealing with more than two children are set to receive increased support after the government announced last week that it will scrap the two-child limit on universal credit and tax credits.
Ministers say the change, set out in last Wednesday’s Budget (26 November 2026), will benefit 10,780 children across the borough.
Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, said abolishing the cap would lift 450,000 children out of poverty across the UK, rising to about 550,000 when combined with other measures. The two-child limit, introduced in 2017, restricts payments for most families to the first two children, regardless of household circumstances.
Deirdre Costigan, the Labour MP for Ealing Southall, welcomed the announcement, saying: “This is exactly the kind of action our Labour government was elected to take. Scrapping the two-child limit will lift the pressure on 10,780 children in Ealing alone.”
Ms Costigan added: “With targeted help on energy bills, investment in Neighbourhood Health Centres and a higher minimum and living wage, the Chancellor’s Budget delivers for working families and shows we’re serious about tackling child poverty head-on.”
Posting on X, Labour MP for Ealing Central & Acton Dr Rupa Huq said: “The #TwoChildLimit is gone. 450,000 children will be lifted out of poverty. This was a Tory policy Labour opposed and said we’d reverse at the first opportunity. I am glad that is now thanks to @RachelReevesMP sound stewardship of our economy.”
