Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading

On 23 February 2026, the  Bill completed its Remaining Stages in the House of Commons.

The removal of the two-child limit will increase the Universal Credit (UC) award of 560,000 families, who will gain on average £5,310 per year.  A number of amendments to the Universal Credit Bill were considered.  

New Clause 3, which would have required the Secretary of State to undertake a review of the effects of the Act on child poverty, destitution, and wider social and economic outcomes, was rejected: Ayes 73, Noes 256

Ministers are committed to monitoring the effect of the benefit cap, they have published a comprehensive impact assessment as part of the Bill, and the ongoing review of the Personal Independence Payment will consider the experiences of disabled people.

I supported the Universal Credit (Removal of Two-Child Limit) Bill, at Third Reading : Ayes 361, Noes 84.