Campaigners hope Labour will scrap two-child benefit cap once in No 10

Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner at the launch of Labour's manifesto, which promises an ‘ambitious’ strategy to reduce child poverty. Photograph: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images

Senior Labour figures have been crystal clear in the past about the two-child benefit limit, with Angela Rayner saying it was “obscene and inhumane” and Jonathan Ashworth calling it “heinous”.

Yet, as expected, Keir Starmer’s safety-first manifesto lacked any promise to reverse it, and shadow ministers have been wheeled out to underline the need to make “tough choices” and avoid unfunded promises. Rayner has said Labour has to “prioritise”.