Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has raised concerns about a potential return to poverty levels reminiscent of previous Conservative governments. His warning comes ahead of a significant by-election scheduled for Thursday. Brown claims that the Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage, poses a significant threat to child welfare in the UK.
Two-Child Benefit Cap Under Scrutiny
At the heart of Brown’s warning is the controversial two-child benefit cap. This policy, introduced by the former Conservative Chancellor George Osborne, limits benefits for families with more than two children born after April 2017. Brown contends that this policy would force vulnerable children back into poverty.
Recent Developments from Reform UK
Initially promising to abolish the two-child benefit cap, Reform UK’s new treasury spokesperson Robert Jenrick reversed this stance earlier this week, stating that the cap should remain in place. This decision has raised significant concerns among local advocates, particularly in the Greater Manchester constituency of Gorton and Denton.
- Over 6,000 children in the constituency would benefit from abolishing the cap.
- The by-election on Thursday is pivotal for their futures.
Brown emphasized, “When voters go to the polls in Gorton and Denton on Thursday, the fate of these children is in their hands.” He urged support for Labour’s local candidate, Angeliki Stogia, as a way to combat child poverty.
Controversial Comments and Policy Proposals
Adding to the concerns, the Reform candidate, Matt Goodwin, suggested a punitive tax on individuals without children. This proposal, drawing comparisons to dystopian literature, has been widely criticized. Goodwin called for a “negative child benefit tax” aimed at non-parents, raising further alarms about Reform’s approach to social welfare.
The Battle for Gorton and Denton
The upcoming by-election poses a challenge for the Labour Party, which previously held the seat by a considerable margin. In 2024, Labour won with a majority of 13,413 votes. However, the party’s popularity has waned since Keir Starmer took office, leading to concerns about its grip on this crucial constituency.
- Labour’s previous majority: 13,413 votes.
- Majority of the vote in 2024: Over 50%.
During a recent visit to the area, Prime Minister Starmer warned that voting for the Green Party could inadvertently support Reform UK. He recalled the close call in the Runcorn by-election, where Labour lost to Reform by a narrow margin. Starmer cautioned against letting that scenario repeat itself in Gorton and Denton.
As the election approaches, the stakes are high for thousands of children in the region. The outcome could determine whether they remain at risk of returning to the poverty levels of the past.
