Government to roll out two-child benefit cap mitigation by early 2026

In Scotland, Shona Robison, the Finance Secretary, announced the government's plan to mitigate the two-child benefit cap. This initiative aims to combat child poverty effectively. During her Budget proposals for 2025, she confirmed that the scheme could potentially be implemented before the start of the 2026 financial year, depending on the cooperation with the UK Government and the data-sharing arrangements with the Department for Work and Pensions. Robison outlined that Social Security Scotland would need about a year to program the changes necessary for the benefit mitigation. This indicates that while the timeline is ambitious, success relies heavily on the procedural support from the UK Government. Furthermore, she expressed optimism about the “good mood music” regarding the necessary data-sharing, suggesting a promising partnership is possible. The projected costs of the scheme are estimated between £100 million and £150 million. Robison emphasized that addressing child poverty is a driving force behind her political career. With Scottish Parliament elections set for May 2026, the timing of this proposal has led to speculations regarding political motivations, yet Robison stressed that the primary goal is the welfare of children in Scotland. The subsequent vote on the Scottish Budget in February involves negotiations among various parties at Holyrood, which could influence the implementation timeline and the ultimate success of the initiative. Meanwhile, responses from opposition parties have challenged the SNP's economic strategies amid calls for improved spending without raising revenues. Robison reiterated the importance of this initiative for the future of child welfare in Scotland, focusing on its societal implications beyond politics.