The two-child limit for benefits in the Supreme Court: implications for public health

What is it about?

The last 10 years has been a remarkable period for the UK social security system. The most significant changes in welfare provision since the inception of the welfare state have resulted in a reduction in social security spending of over £30 billion. One of the most controversial elements of the government’s programme of welfare reform is the two-child limit. This policy has returned to the fore following a recent Supreme Court judgement,1 where the Court was asked to decide if the financial restrictions imposed by the two-child limit are compatible with rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. This commentary analyses the impact of the two-child limit, the consequences of the Supreme Court decision, and the ways in which social security is a significant public health concern.

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Photo by Juliane Liebermann on Unsplash

Photo by Juliane Liebermann on Unsplash