HUNDREDS of families in the region are set to benefit, as the Scottish Government lays out plans to scrap the two-child cap from Spring next year.
The UK-wide policy prevents parents from claiming universal credit or child tax credit for more than two children, with a few exemptions.
It was introduced by the former Conservative government as part of their programme of austerity and is still in place under the current government
Now the Scottish government plans mitigate the cap by offering payments to affected families, with applications opening on 2 March 2026.
The mitigation payment will be offered as a separate benefit, administered by Social Security Scotland, to support 760 families in Dumfries and Galloway impacted by the two-child cap.
Commenting, Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland said: “Labour’s two child cap has harmed 760 households in Dumfries and Galloway, but from March next year that will end under this SNP government.
“We cannot afford to wait any longer: 26,000 households across Scotland are impacted by this policy while the UK Labour government refuses to take action.
“By stepping in to mitigate the harm caused by Westminster, John Swinney’s government will lift 20,000 children out of poverty, making progress on the key mission of this government: to eradicate child poverty.”
