Scrap two-child benefit cap to help lift 4m people out of poverty, government urged

The commission’s final report, expected to be published on Thursday, estimates nearly a quarter of the UK population are in poverty. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

A cross-party commission including former welfare ministers is urging the government to scrap the two-child benefit limit as part of an ambitious “once in a generation” plan to lift millions of people out of poverty.

The Poverty Strategy Commission said billions of pounds of investment – including a boost to the rate of universal credit – was needed to reverse record levels of poverty in the UK, and tackle longstanding failures over rising hardship and destitution.