Over two in five UK voters support the two-child benefit cap

In the week it was revealed that Labour ‘will look at’ scrapping the two-child benefit cap, Opinium’s latest poll reveals that over two in five (44%) UK voters support the cap.

This includes 2024 Labour voters (42% support the cap, while 26% oppose it). While Nigel Farage announced his opposition to the policy, his voters are remarkably supportive of the two-child benefit cap (59% support vs 14% oppose).

Support for the benefits cap is similar when looking specifically among parents, with 43% saying they support it, vs. 28% who oppose.

Among the general public, 30% say capping benefits at the first two born children is the right thing to do regardless of affordability, while 22% say it is not morally right but the government cannot afford to abolish it.

Only one in seven (17%) say they think the cap is morally wrong and that the government can afford to scrap it.

Party leaders across the board have all seen a drop in net approval ratings since Opinium’s last poll a fortnight ago. Keir Starmer’s rating hit a low of -37% net approval, down 3 points, whilst Kemi Badenoch sits at a -27% net approval, a drop of 7 points. Both Nigel Farage and Ed Davey have seen a drop of 5 points (net approval of -11% and -4% respectively).

Looking at who the public think would make the best Prime Minister, 24% (-1) think Keir Starmer is best for the job, while 11% (-2) say Kemi Badenoch would make the best PM. Just under half of voters now prefer neither of the main party leaders as prime minister (48%, -2).

Opinium’s latest poll also looked into current views among the public and parents on the state of education in the UK. The research found that while 45% of UK adults think school poorly prepares children for adult life and 46% say it prepares children badly for the world of work, parents have a less negative view. A third (33%) of parents say schools prepare children well for adult life and for work.

In addition, over half (56%) of parents believe the education system in the UK provides every child at least a basic minimum standard of education, vs only 43% of the public. Parents are also more confident that the school system ensures those with special needs or a disability are able to receive an education, vs 32% of the general public.

Only 24% of UK adults believe that the education system gives children from low-income backgrounds the skills they need to succeed.

James Crouch, head of public affairs and policy at Opinium, said: “While both Labour and Reform explore scrapping the two-child benefit cap, Opinium’s latest polling shows their leadership could be out of step with many of their voters, who simply don’t see it as affordable – whatever the rights or wrongs of the policy.”