Statement from Law Centre NI

Today the Northern Ireland Assembly agreed the motion providing legislative consent to the Universal Credit (Removal of the Two Child Limit) Bill.  

Law Centre NI, as convenor of the Cliff Edge Coalition, warmly welcomes this positive outcome following our tenacious campaign over many years to achieve the removal of the two-child limit. This is a clear step towards the eradication of poverty and ensuring that our social security system is adequately resourced to protect those who are most in need.  

Sarah Corrigan, Director of Legal Services and Engagement, said:  

“Today’s decision by the NI Assembly to grant legislative consent to the Universal Credit (Removal of the Two Child Limit) Bill, marks a profound moment of progress for children and families across NI.  

For years, Law Centre NI, as Convenor of the Cliff Edge Coalition and along with many of our community and voluntary sector colleagues, has campaigned for the removal of this policy by evidencing the deep and lasting harm it inflicts on families already facing poverty and hardship. Its removal is not only a compassionate choice, it is the right choice… it is evidence‑based and puts children’s rights at the centre of the issue. This change will lift thousands of families out of poverty, reduce financial pressure on parents, and go some way to restoring fairness to our social security system. 

We welcome and thank the NI Assembly’s commitment in this matter.

Law Centre NI is proud to have played a part in securing this landmark change and will continue to work hard to campaign for the eradication of poverty in NI.” 

We continue to call for clarity upon numerous practical considerations, which was outlined in our evidence to the Committee for Communities on this Bill and associated Legislative Consent Motion.

We thank our elected representatives, officials and stakeholders who have supported us in our campaign to secure this outcome which will positively impact thousands of children and families across Northern Ireland. We will continue to engage on this matter to ensure that the advice sector is supported to ensure the effective, sustainable and successful removal of the two-child limit.