Chancellor Rachel Reeves has criticised Nigel Farage for opposing the lifting of the two-child benefit cap, accusing the Reform UK leader of wanting to keep children in poverty based on skin colour. Speaking exclusively to the Guardian, Reeves expressed anger at Farage's suggestion that only British-born families should benefit from the change, calling it discriminatory.
Farage, who previously indicated he could support the policy, announced on Wednesday that his party would vote against scrapping the cap, citing concerns it would benefit 'huge numbers of foreign-born people'. Reeves responded: 'Does Nigel Farage want to go around and say: White? Yeah, you can have the money. Black? No, I'm sorry, it's not for you.'
The chancellor is set to introduce legislation on Thursday to remove the cap, which currently limits child tax credit and universal credit to the first two children. Labour analysis suggests Farage's alternative proposal—restricting extra benefits to households with two working parents born in the UK—would help just 3,700 families, less than 1% of those affected.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer will champion the policy during a visit to Bedfordshire, accusing Reform and the Conservatives of forming a 'cruel alliance' to push children into poverty. Reeves acknowledged the challenge of winning public support but insisted the measure, which could lift 550,000 children out of poverty, is a key Labour achievement.
Reeves also addressed Farage's shifting stance on allegations of racist and antisemitic bullying during his school years, noting his refusal to apologise. She emphasised the importance of public consent to prevent future governments from reversing the policy, stating: 'It comes from not electing the Tories or Reform.'
