Labour signals it will axe 'heinous' two-child cap on benefit claims trends now

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Labour has signalled it will axe the 'heinous' two-child cap on claiming benefits.

George Osborne introduced the policy amid fears that the government was incentivising families having more offspring than they could afford to support.

But shadow work and pensions secretary Jon Ashworth condemned the approach, saying it is 'absolutely keeping children in poverty'.

Households receiving universal credit or child tax credit no longer get extra money for more than two children.

The rules apply to additional children born after April 6, 2017 - although there are exemptions such as for multiple births, and children conceived due to rape.

Tories said Keir Starmer's party is 'hopelessly addicted to spending money we don't have and making being on benefits pay more than being in work'.