Ever since the resounding victory of the Labour Party in the previous summer’s election, Keir Starmer has been repeatedly questioned about the principles of his government.
Responding to this inquiry, the Prime Minister unveiled a long-awaited plan this week to reduce child poverty by 550,000 by the end of the decade. In an article for The Mirror coinciding with the release of the government’s child poverty strategy, Mr. Starmer emphasized, “This is Labour’s fundamental cause – our ethical mission. We addressed it during the last Labour administration, and my government will do the same.”
This initiative has temporarily appeased restless Labour MPs who have been clamoring for a clear definition of the government’s identity. One Labour MP expressed, “This is the essence of a Labour government, uplifting children out of poverty. That’s what we achieved under Gordon Brown; we elevated numerous children out of poverty. The Tories plunged children into poverty, and we are now lifting them out again.”
Furthermore, they highlighted the importance of communicating why a Labour Government benefits the public, stressing that poverty impacts everyone and plays a crucial role in shaping educated children who contribute positively to society.
Among the measures outlined in the strategy is the elimination of the contentious two-child benefit limit, a divisive issue within the party in recent years. The decision to abolish this limit has drawn a clear distinction between Labour and the Conservatives, with Kemi Badenoch criticizing the move as a policy reminiscent of “Benefits Street.”
Notably, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, often praised for his efforts in combatting child poverty, has been vocal in advocating for the abolition of the two-child benefit limit. He accused the Tories of spreading falsehoods about the policy, attributing myths to families deemed lazy when in reality, the majority of affected families are employed.
Labour MPs are fully engaged in the fight against child poverty, emphasizing the moral imperative and long-term economic benefits of investing in children, irrespective of their background or family size.
Despite the enthusiasm for the child poverty strategy, Labour MPs have expressed reservations. While the plan aims to lift 550,000 children out of poverty over five years, surpassing previous reductions achieved in a single Parliament, some MPs have raised concerns about the lack of specific targets for measuring progress in poverty reduction.
Acknowledging the positive impact of scrapping the two-child benefit limit on party unity, Labour MPs remain cautious about potential challenges in the upcoming elections.
Sophie is a Political Correspondent covering UK politics, with a focus on prisons, the justice system, education, and online safety.