‘Brutal’ two-child benefit cap affecting 1.7m children, shows data

Number living in affected households rose by 37,000 (2%) in year to April, as pressure grows on government to scrap policy

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A further 37,000 children were affected by the two-child benefit limit in the year to April, with 1.7 million now living in households affected by the policy, according to new figures described as devastating and shameful" by charities.

Data released by the Department for Work and Pensions on Thursday shows that one in nine children are now affected by the policy, while 62% of affected families have three children and 59% are in work.