Motion call will not move NI any closer to axing two-child benefit cap: lecturer

NORTHERN Ireland is no closer to removing the “pernicious” twochild limit on Universal Credit after an Assembly vote on the issue, according to an anti-poverty campaigner and academic.

A motion was brought by the SDLP as part of Stormont’s Opposition Day business — but the poorly attended debate saw leader of the Opposition Matthew O’toole remark that his party had more MLAS present than the two largest parties combined.

Since 2015, a Uk-wide law has meant that only the first and second child in a family are eligible for Universal Credit, with any third child born after April 6, 2017, no longer eligible.

Yesterday’s motion had called on Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to present a plan to the Assembly for the removal of the limit by the end of 2024.

However, a DUP amendment, highlighting the potential costs of the move, deleted the call for the minister to bring forward a plan.

Instead, it shifted the focus to a report on welfare mitigation schemes, which was eventually carried by 69 votes to 10. The majority of the 79 MLAS who voted on the motion were absent for the debate that preceded it.

Mr O’toole said: “I would note with some regret today, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker [Caral Ni Chuilin], the Opposition is the smallest of the five main parties represented in this chamber, but we still have more MLAS in the chamber now than the two main parties combined, who have nearly 60 MLAS between them.

“I recognise that they may not want to give the Opposition Day much credence, but I would say that it would do them some credit to give the issue of poverty a little bit more respect than to have such a paltry turnout today.”

Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick, a lecturer at Ulster University’s School of Law who specialises in social security, said the adoption of the amendment did not move NI any closer to the removal of the limit.

“Although it is positive that all parties have agreed they would like to see the limit removed, the reality is their acceptance of the DUP amendment doesn’t move us any closer to getting rid of it,” she told the Belfast Telegraph.

“It is undoubtable that the two-child limit is contributing to rising child poverty levels in NI. Relative child poverty has increased from 18% to 24%...

“Gordon Lyons clearly stated that it would not be within his gift in view of the current budget.

“It’s crucial that NI politicians move us beyond this frustrating financial quagmire by negotiating a better funding settlement with HM Treasury to ensure policies to improve the lives of people in NI can actually be implemented.

“The Audit Office outlined that child poverty is costing the NI economy between £825m and £1bn, while offsetting the twochild limit would cost in the region of £56.4m.

“It’s time that we invested in our children...”

During the debate, Mr Lyons said the removal of the limit before any action was taken at Westminster would leave the Assembly responsible for funding any mitigation put in place.

He told members the estimated cost would be around £56.4m.

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong said that, although she supported the removal of the “despicable” limit, the Assembly should exercise caution, saying: “If we jump before Westminster moves, what will be the implications for this House? Pragmatically, I do not want to take the money out of the mouths of children who are already living in poverty.”

Winding up the debate prior to the vote, SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said the impact of welfare reform had been “more pronounced” in NI, adding: “This policy contradicts the principles of equality and fairness. It must be abolished.”