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Written question asked by Al Carns (Labour) on Monday, 12 October 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 October 2026. It was answered by Lilian Greenwood (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 October 2026 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Poverty: Children

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what additional steps his Department is taking to reduce child poverty in Birmingham, following the removal of the two-child benefit cap.

Answer

We have extended Free School Meals eligibility to all pupils in households receiving Universal Credit, delivered the first sustained above-inflation increase in the standard allowance of Universal Credit, benefiting around 4 million households, and delivered a £1 billion package to reform crisis support.

We are also investing £39 billion in social and affordable housing, and our £15 billion Warm Homes Plan will lift one million households out of fuel poverty by 2030. To strengthen local services, we are investing £500 million to roll out Best Start Family Hubs, with a commitment to create up to 1,000 hubs across the country by the end of 2028 and investing £500 million in the UK-wide Better Futures Fund, breaking down barriers to opportunity for up to 200,000 vulnerable children and young people.

We are committed to long-term, lasting change beyond this Parliament, ensuring child poverty remains a priority, and we will continue to work across Government and with our stakeholders and partners to ensure we deliver.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
33600
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Poverty Children Birmingham Social security benefits
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk