TACKLING child poverty “remains central” to the Labour government, the Wee County’s MP insisted after voting against a motion to scrap the two-child benefit cap.

Alloa and Grangemouth MP Brian Leishman was challenged on the decision by MSP Keith Brown after the SNP’s amendment to scrap the cap, introduced by the Conservatives in 2017, was rejected by 363 votes to 103.

The policy prevents almost all parents from claiming Universal Credit or child tax credit for more than two children, but does not apply to the weekly child benefit.

Mr Leishman vowed to tackle child poverty in Clacks, which sits at 27.3 per cent, after recently being elected to represent the freshly drawn up constituency.

Mr Brown, SNP representative for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane at Holyrood, said: “Child poverty is a horrendous issue here Clackmannanshire – with over a quarter of children living in poverty – an unacceptable figure in energy rich Scotland.
 
“We were repeatedly told by Anas Sarwar and Keir Starmer that Scottish Labour MPs would be at the heart of government, that they would lead change – instead, they’ve just been forced to back one of the Tories' most devastating policies, despite previously saying they were against it – it is now Labour’s two-child cap and rape clause.
 
“As I said last week, the Labour party talk a good game on child poverty, but now the election is over, they need to actually do something about it – they've failed to do so.”

However, Mr Leishman explained the government has a “mission” to create and spread opportunity for every child in the country and has committed to an “ambitious” child poverty strategy, work on which is already ongoing.

He said: “This will be overseen by a new ministerial taskforce to drive cross-government action on child poverty which will be co-chaired by the secretary of state for work and pensions and the secretary of state for education and will involve all key relevant departments and sit at the heart of how we will deliver our Opportunity Mission.

“And this work will happen at the heart of government, through a new specialist Child Poverty Unit in the Cabinet Office, bringing together officials with external experts, leaving no stone unturned in Labour’s mission to improve children’s lives.

“Our new strategy will build on the first mission of this government – growing the economy to improve living standards across the country and ensuring economic stability, so never again are working people paying the price for a Tory government willing to play fast and loose with the public finances.”

READ MORE: Life as a girl in Clacks among worst in the UK, report shows
 

As previously highlighted, the government has also committed to its New Deal for Working People to “ensure minimum wage is a genuine living wage” along with reformed employment support.

This will mean that “many more people can benefit from the dignity and purpose of employment”.

Mr Leishman explained the government will also be reviewing Universal Credit “so that it makes work pay and tackles poverty”.

Meanwhile, the secretary of state for work and pensions has already convened experts and campaigners on child poverty and the MP said he was looking forward to working with them productively.

He added: “Only Labour can be trusted to tackle child poverty. We’ve done it before and will do it again.”