First 1001 Days Movement’s response to the budget

The First 1001 Days Movement welcomes the government’s decision to abolish the two-child limit from April 2026. It is the most cost-effective way to lift children out of poverty.  Growing up in poverty can harm a baby’s healthy growth and development, with lasting effects on their wellbeing now and in the future. 

Our Movement called for the two-child limit to be abolished in our submission to the Child Poverty Taskforce and in our Manifesto for Babies. We were just one of many voices that have been campaigning for it to be scrapped, so we thank our fellow campaigners for all their hard work, and the Chancellor for listening.  

The decision to abolish the two-child limit is a monumental decision benefiting 350,000 children who will be lifted out of poverty. Many more will be living in less severe poverty because of this welcome decision.    

There is more still to do for families living in the deepest poverty. Some families will still be  damaged by another driver of child poverty in the UK – the benefits cap.  Most of these families are single parents with young children. So we will continue to support further reform of the welfare system to lift all babies out of poverty and give them the best possible start in life.