Reform UK’s vow to revoke recent legislation and reinstate the two-child benefit restriction has elicited a strong caution from Gordon Brown.

The ex-Prime Minister remarked that Keir Starmer’s initiative to alleviate child poverty is progressing with the impending removal of the unpopular two-child benefit limit. This change is set to take effect in April, benefiting nearly half a million children by lifting them out of poverty.

In contrast, Nigel Farage’s wavering stance indicates a full reinstatement of the limit if his party assumes power. Writing for The Mirror, Mr. Brown cautioned that Reform’s victory could push children back into poverty.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves disclosed the decision to abolish the policy, which currently limits families from receiving Universal Credit for more than two children, during last year’s Budget announcement. This policy affects approximately 1.7 million children, and the government projects that eliminating it will rescue around 450,000 children from hardship by 2030.

In anticipation of a crucial by-election in Gorton and Denton, Mr. Brown emphasized that over 6,000 children in the Greater Manchester constituency will benefit from scrapping this stringent measure.

The former PM from 2007 to 2010 stated, “As voters head to the polls in Gorton and Denton this Thursday, the future of over 6,000 local children hangs in the balance. These are the youngsters who will experience the positive impact of the removal of the detested two-child rule on April 1st.”

He added, “This by-election presents a choice: to support children in escaping poverty with Labour’s excellent local candidate Angeliki Stogia or to regress to the austerity era under Reform.”

This development occurs as Labour faces a challenging battle to retain the seat against Reform UK and the Greens, both heavily investing resources in the region to potentially cause a significant political upset.

Labour’s candidate, Ms. Stogia, expressed to The Mirror: “My motivation to enter national politics stems from the opportunity to enhance people’s lives. Through Labour’s decision to eliminate the two-child cap, roughly 6,000 children in Gorton and Denton will be lifted out of poverty. This means children won’t go to school on empty stomachs or in last year’s worn-out uniforms.”