In a landmark move to combat child poverty, the Scottish Government has confirmed that it will effectively neutralise the impact of the two child limit from March 2026.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville made the announcement during a visit to the Busy Bees Bellfield parent and toddler group in Portobello.
Surrounded by parents and young children, she shared the government’s plan to introduce the Two Child Limit Payment, a policy set to make a significant dent in poverty levels across Scotland.
According to Scottish Government modelling, the new payment will mean that 20,000 fewer children will be living in relative poverty during 2026 and 2027.
The policy marks one of the most ambitious steps taken yet under Scotland’s child poverty strategy, Best Start, Bright Futures.
Standing ahead of her statement to parliament, Ms Somerville did not hold back in her criticism of Westminster’s inaction.
“The Scottish Government has consistently called on the UK Government to end the two child cap,” she said.
“Reports suggest that they are finally looking at the impact it is having.
“But the evidence is clear and families in Scotland cannot wait any longer for the UK Government to make up its mind.”
Applications for the new Two Child Limit Payment will open in March next year.
This swift delivery comes just 15 months after it was first announced as part of the Scottish budget, making it the fastest rollout of a Scottish social security benefit to date.
Ms Somerville pointed to the broader efforts already underway in Scotland to alleviate financial pressures on families.
These include the flagship Scottish Child Payment, action to clear school meal debts, and continued support for around 10,000 children through measures that offset the UK Government’s Benefit Cap.
However, she was also quick to underline the obstacles still facing Scotland’s efforts.
“Austerity decisions taken by the UK Government are holding back Scotland’s progress,” she said.
“Modelling published in March makes clear that if the UK Government acted decisively on child poverty, they could help to lift an estimated 100,000 children out of poverty this year.”
The two child limit, introduced by the UK Government in 2017, restricts Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit support to the first two children in a family, unless exceptional circumstances apply.
It has long been a focus of criticism from anti-poverty campaigners, charities and political leaders in Scotland.
Now, with this new payment, Scotland is taking matters into its own hands.
The Two Child Limit Payment offers a fresh lifeline for families who have struggled under the policy for years, and signals a bold new direction in Scotland’s fight to eradicate child poverty.
