Labour sticking to two-child cap is ‘unforgiveable’ and 'deeply shameful', says Humza Yousaf

First Minister Humza Yousaf has criticised UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for refusing to get rid of the two-child limit

Humza Yousaf has described the leader of the UK Labour Party’s decision to keep the two-child benefit cap is “deeply shameful”.

The First Minister rowed into the row surrounding Sir Keir Starmer’s position as new research commissioned by the SNP found the two-child benefit cap had affected more than 80,000 children in Scotland in the past year.

Analysis by the House of Commons Library also determined that an additional 20,000 children in Scotland were placed into poverty as a result of the benefits cap.

School children playing during a break. The two-child benefit cap has affected more than 80,000 children in Scotland in the last year, research commissioned by the SNP has found. Picture: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

The research was released as Sir Keir faces pressure to commit to scrapping the two-child benefit cap if Labour win power.

Sir Keir's stance on the policy has prompted disquiet from some in his party.

The research for the SNP used the policy simulation tool UKMOD to estimate the effect of the policy since 2017.

If the policy was to be removed, about 30,000 fewer people would be in poverty in Scotland, including 20,000 children. In Scotland, during the 2022/23 financial year, a total of 80,936 children live in households where the two-child cap has reduced benefits.

It has been applied to a total of 32,616 children.

Since 2017, when the cap came into force, the cap has cost families in Scotland £341.3 million.

Responding to questions while visiting Peterhead Power Station yesterday, Mr Yousaf was asked if the Scottish Government would consider using its own powers to mitigate the benefit cap, similar to how it responded to the bedroom tax.

He said: “First of all, we’re spending £3 billion mitigating the effects of UK Government austerity, the UK Government cost-of-living crisis.

“That’s £3bn, frankly, I’d rather be spending on hospitals, schools and public transport.”

Mr Yousaf added: “I have to say, for Sir Keir Starmer to say he’s going to retain the two-child limit to me is unforgivable.

“It’s a deliberate policy choice to keep up to 15,000 children in Scotland in poverty, and huge questions not just for Keir Starmer, but for [Scottish Labour leader] Anas Sarwar.

“Was he consulted about this? Did he know about this policy U-turn? If he didn’t, is he really happy that his Westminister colleagues in London can make a decision and impose it upon Scotland, that would keep, as I say, up to 15,000 children in poverty. That to me is deeply shameful.”

The First Minister weighed in after Scottish Labour’s deputy leader Jackie Baillie had earlier stressed her party remained “completely opposed” to the cap, despite Sir Keir saying they would not scrap the policy if they were in charge.

Ms Baillie said she was convinced Scottish Labour’s position would be a UK Labour priority as well once they had a clear understanding of the financial position they will inherit.

She said: “Scottish Labour’s position has not changed, we remain completely opposed to the two child benefit cap. We know it damages families and exacerbates poverty.

“My understanding of what Keir Starmer is saying is he is worried about the financial mess we will inherit from the Tories, and there is a recognition amongst responsible politicians that we will not be able to do everything immediately.

“Keir Starmer doesn’t want to make pledges he cannot deliver on, and that is really important.”

Stephen Flynn, the SNP’s Westminster leader, said: “Anas Sarwar appears to have brass on his neck, trying to con the people of Scotland into believing he is against the policy when yesterday he said he backs the position.

“The reality is there is a Labour diktat to the Scottish Labour leader to show support for this ridiculous and heinous policy, and Anas Sarwar has followed suit.”