The two-child benefit cap has been controversial since it was introduced by the UK’s Conservative Government in 2017. The intention of the policy is to encourage responsible family planning and reduce welfare expenditure.

What actually happens is that 300,000 more children are pushed into poverty. The Child Poverty Action Group have provided that estimate, which they have linked directly to the two-child benefit cap.

We know how much financial stress can negatively impact parenting and family dynamics, but the well-being of our children seems unimportant.

The benefit system can already feel like a trap. This policy traps more families, based on their size, within that poverty trap, many of whom are working families who rely on benefits to supplement low incomes.

Women withstand the worst of this policy. Again. The vile requirement to relive trauma in order to prove a ‘non-consensual conception’, which is an exception within the policy, is unspeakably degrading and foundationally unkind.

In more general terms, the continued under-valuing of unpaid care work persists through this policy.

Raising children contributes significantly to society through unpaid care work. As the vast majority of primary caregivers are women, the policy disproportionately affects and limits the opportunities of women.

As we know, the opportunities afforded to women in any society marks strongly the health (in its most holistic sense) of that society.

No recognition is given, within this policy, to the unpredictability of life circumstances. No-one knows what tomorrow will bring in their own situation, but opprobrium of the state when something happens cannot help one iota.

Financial circumstances, relationship status, unexpected pregnancies. All changes that can and do happen. The policy takes no account of these complexities and in fact penalises families for circumstances that are often beyond their control.

Rather than reducing welfare expenditure, the long-term economic impacts of this policy may be negative and may in reality contradict the objectives of other government policies.

Child poverty has been linked to poorer educational and health outcomes, as well as impacting opportunities for future earnings across society.

My message to the new Labour government is this: please do not undermine the progression of health and education by continuing the consequences of this welfare policy. Please lift the cap to help reduce child poverty.

By providing support for all children in a family, regardless of birth order, the government could help ensure that no child is left without essential resources simply due to their family size.

Adequate (and we are only talking about adequate, not abundant) financial support for all children could help ensure equal opportunities for education, health, and future prospects. Choose to contribute to improved family relationships and better outcomes for children's emotional and psychological well-being.

What never fails to astonish me is the extent to which governments (and governments possibly at odds with the feelings of the general population) rail against or condemn the notion of spending money to support poorer people, whilst by comparison rarely challenging the incredible dividends afforded gratuitously to the rich through our financial, tax and social policy systems.

Lift the cap to provide support for all children in families affected by domestic abuse and to provide crucial support for families dealing with upheaval in life. Help to ensure that work pays, and in-work poverty gets a fighting chance to start becoming a thing of the past.

I know that lifting the cap alone will not address all issues related to child poverty and family support. It would need to be part of a broader strategy to improve the welfare system, address low wages, and provide comprehensive support for families.

But, my word, it would be a really good start!