Social workers appeal to end 'cruel' two-child benefit cap

Prof Sam Baron, the director of BASW Cymru, urged the minister in the letter to bring about an end to the ‘cruel and harsh’ policy.

The letter states that according to data from the Bevan Foundation and the Child Poverty Action Group, 93 per cent of families affected by the two-child cap policy struggle to afford food, while 82 per cent have difficulties covering gas and electricity costs.

The data also shows that 45 per cent struggle to pay rent or mortgage, and 46 per cent find it tough to manage childcare costs.

Prof Baron wrote: "Your predecessor, Mark Drakeford MS, was a vocal critic of this policy and described the limit as the “single greatest driver of child poverty.

”The choice of words is both meaningful and powerful and as you are aware, one of the key preventative drivers to avoid the unnecessary use of statutory services.  
 
"I am writing to ask that as the incoming First Minister, one who has indicated change and commitment to the people of Wales, specifically vulnerable people, to add your voice against this cruel and harsh policy and do all in your power to help bring an end to it by making the strongest of representations to your colleagues within the UK Government, a Labour Government."

He said in the letter: "We are acutely aware that the new UK Government faces tough choices as they balance finite resources, but the failure to reverse this crippling policy is extremely frightening, not only to those families directly impacted, but also our membership body and other professionals, who so often are left picking up the pieces when far-ranging consequences start to play out.
 
"BASW Cymru acknowledges the new UK Government’s intention to develop a UK-wide child poverty strategy, and this is very much welcomed. 

"Surely, it can not go unsaid that part of this strategy must mean the scrapping of the two-child cap which is a leading enabler of child poverty in the first instance."