Bills · Became law
Removing the two-child limit on Universal Credit
The bill has been signed off by the King and is now law.
In plain words
This law removes the limit that stopped families getting extra Universal Credit for a third or later child born after 6 April 2017. The change applies from 6 April 2026.
Summary drafted by AI, checked by Jonathan on 4 Oct 2026. Source: Parliament Library briefing.
Official title: Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Act 2026
- 1Introduced1st reading
- 2Main debate2nd reading
- 3Detailed checksCommittee
- 4ChangesReport stage
- 5Final vote3rd reading
- 6Other houseLords or Commons
- 7Becomes lawRoyal Assent
Nothing more. This bill is now law.
Put forward by Pat McFadden, Baroness Sherlock.
Votes so far
| Date | Vote | Count | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Feb 2026 | Removing the two-child limit on Universal Credit: the final vote | 361 for, 84 against | Agreed |
| 23 Feb 2026 | Removing the two-child limit on Universal Credit: a proposed change | 73 for, 256 against | Rejected |
| 3 Feb 2026 | Removing the two-child limit on Universal Credit: the first main vote | 458 for, 104 against | Agreed |
Full timeline
| Date | Stage | House |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Jan 2026 | 1st reading | Commons |
| 3 Feb 2026 | 2nd reading | Commons |
| 3 Feb 2026 | Money resolution | Commons |
| 3 Feb 2026 | Programme motion | Commons |
| 23 Feb 2026 | Committee of the whole House | Commons |
| 23 Feb 2026 | 3rd reading | Commons |
| 24 Feb 2026 | 1st reading | Lords |
| 12 Mar 2026 | 2nd reading | Lords |
| 12 Mar 2026 | Committee negatived | Lords |
| 12 Mar 2026 | 3rd reading | Lords |
| 18 Mar 2026 | Royal Assent | Unassigned |
In the bill’s own words: A Bill to Make provision to remove the two child limit on the child element of universal credit.
Source: Parliament Bills API · Commons votes from the Commons Votes API.