A Bill to remove the limit on the number of children or qualifying young persons included in the calculation of an award of universal credit.
House of Lords
31 October 2023
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
The bill would remove the two-child limit used to calculate universal credit (and, as explained in official notes, tax credits) so families with three or more children aren’t capped in benefit calculations. It has been debated in the Lords for several years and is currently at the third reading, with broad cross‑party support in the chamber but notable opposition from the Conservative party in voting.
Originating in the Lords, the bill has a lengthy passage with a discharge of the Order of Commitment in 2022, a Select Committee review, and third-reading stage. Latest recorded votes in the Lords show substantial cross-party support, though Conservative peers largely opposed.
Second Reading: 458 Aye, 104 No; Third Reading: 361 Aye, 84 No. Across parties, Labour, Lib Dem, SNP, Plaid Cymru, and others supported the bill; Conservative peers opposed (and a small number of other minor groups also opposed). Sinn Féin and some smaller groups registered mixed or no votes in the official tallies provided.
Generated 21 February 2026
23 May 2022
8 Jul 2022
26 Oct 2022
24 Mar 2023
Based on 2 recorded votes • Sorted by % Aye
The 2022-2023 session of Parliament has prorogued and this bill will make no further progress.
The letter explains that the two-child limit for support under tax credits and Universal Credit, introduced by the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016, was considered fair and proportionate because the 2012 UK average family size was 1.7 children (per ONS). It also corrects a misstatement about the Nuffield Foundation study on fertility and child benefits, noting it was published in April 2022, not July 2022.
