KEMI Badenoch will today take the fight to Nigel Farage over his pledge to scrap the two-child benefit cap.
The Tory leader will attempt to draw battle lines with Reform by forcing a vote on the issue in Parliament.
Nigel Farage has called for the cap to be axed as a way of getting more parents to have children amid a declining birth ratePA
EPAMs Badenoch will use the Opposition Day vote to demand that the two-child cap is kept[/caption]
Mr Farage has called for the cap to be axed as a way of getting more parents to have children amid a declining birth rate.
But the move – also being demanded by dozens of Labour MPs – would cost around £3billion a year and widen the hole in the public finances.
Ms Badenoch last night told The Sun: “Britain is spending too much, there is no money for increasing benefits.
“The two child benefit cap was there for a reason.
“Now Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage want you to pay for other people’s children.
“Only the Conservatives believe we shouldn’t be borrowing money to pay for welfare.
“What Labour and Reform are doing will lead to more spending, and higher taxes.”
Sir Keir Starmer has not ruled out lifting the cap – which limits child benefit to two kids – being part of his child poverty strategy that will report in the autumn.
But he has warned rebellious backbenchers there is now less money for spending after climbing down on his welfare crackdown.
Ms Badenoch will use the Opposition Day vote demanding the cap is kept – which is not legally binding – to open up a divide not just with Labour but Reform, who are leading the polls.
The Tories hope to use the two-child benefit cap as a “wedge issue” to set them apart from Mr Farage, who is hoovering up former Conservative voters.
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