Now's the time to lift two-child benefit cap, says region's mayor

The Government this week set out proposals to reform the benefits system, which it says will save £5bn by 2030.
But campaigners, unions and some of the Government's own MPs have expressed concerns that the changes will hurt some of the most vulnerable in society, increasing poverty levels among disabled people and their families especially.
Yesterday, the North East Child Poverty Commission warned the Government's plans would “hit our region hard” and could “push families into even deeper poverty”.
Ms McGuinness has made reducing child poverty a key priority for her time in office and has established a child poverty reduction taskforce in the region.
Speaking after the Government plans were announced, she said she backed measures to get more people into work but was concerned that the plans could cause hardship for many families.
Ms McGuinness said: “The escalating welfare bill is a problem and we must get people back into work. I absolutely believe it’s right that more people have the opportunity to work. That's why I've invested £50m to give people the skills and support they need to get back to work.
“However, with these changes to benefits, I am concerned that children with disabled parents could face further hardship. Now is the time for ministers to lift the two-child benefit cap this Government inherited, as families in the North East can’t afford to wait.
“Recent reports have suggested the Government is considering lifting this for under-fives. This would be a vital and transformational first step for thousands of families in our region.”
On Tuesday, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall announced plans to reform benefits that would see an above-inflation rise in the standard allowance for universal credit by 2029/30 but new claims from April 2026 seeing the rate of the health element almost cut in half...