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Written question asked by Alison Thewliss (Scottish National Party) on Thursday, 19 December 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 January 2020 (named day). It was answered by Will Quince (Conservative) on Tuesday, 7 January 2020 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the effect of the two child limit for (a) child tax credits and (b) universal credit on low income families.

Answer

DWP and HMRC produce a joint report with statistics related to the policy to provide support for a maximum of two children, the latest of which was published in July 2019 and can be found online at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/child-tax-credit-and-universal-credit-claimants-statistics-related-to-the-policy-to-provide-support-for-a-maximum-of-2-children-april-2019

Providing support for a maximum of two children, or qualifying young persons in Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit, ensures fairness between claimants and those taxpayers who support themselves solely through work.

We recognise that some claimants are not able to make the same choices about the number of children in their family, which is why exceptions have been put in place to protect certain groups. On migration to Universal Credit, families’ existing entitlement will be protected.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
151
Session
2019-21
Subjects
Children Child tax credit Universal credit
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk