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Labour Readmits McDonnell, Begum Amid Policy Shifts

9/27/2025

46 11 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Labour readmitted John McDonnell and Apsana Begum after a year-long ban.
Their return follows Labour's softened stance on the two-child cap.
The cap limits Universal Credit for families with more than two children.
The government faces pressure to abolish the cap, with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham opposing.
Starmer acknowledged Labour's immigration failures and proposed a digital ID scheme.

History

Historical Context

The UK government introduced the two-child cap on Universal Credit in April 2017, limiting benefits for families with more than two children, affecting around 1.5 million children. This policy has faced criticism from organizations like the Child Poverty Action Group. Recently, Labour leaders, including John McDonnell, have begun advocating for its abolition, indicating a potential shift in the party's approach to social welfare.

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Story summary

Labour readmitted John McDonnell and Apsana Begum after a year-long ban.
Their return follows Labour's softened stance on the two-child cap.
The cap limits Universal Credit for families with more than two children.
The government faces pressure to abolish the cap, with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham opposing.
Starmer acknowledged Labour's immigration failures and proposed a digital ID scheme.

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