Written questions

Social Security Benefits: Children

Lords · Question HL13724 · Tabled 20 Jan 2026 · Department for Work and Pensions · Official record

Answered 2 Feb 2026

Question

Asked by Lord Bird

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to the long-term consequences of the benefit cap on the life chances of children, including future employment prospects, health inequalities and intergenerational poverty.

Answer

Answered by Baroness Sherlock, 2 Feb 2026

The Government recognises that growing up in a working household helps to tackle the long-term impacts of poverty on a child’s future health, employment, and life chances. The benefit cap aims to incentivise work and exemptions to the cap are in place for...