Reeves urged to hike gambling taxes to fund axing two-child benefit cap
IndependentSEP 26
100+ Labour MPs Push Gambling Tax Hike to End Two-Child Benefit Cap
Above: Chancellor Rachel Reeves in London, England on Sept. 18, 2025. Image copyright: Jordan Pettitt - WPA Pool/Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
Cooper’s and Ballinger’s plan offers the government an effective strategy for tackling the scourge of child poverty across the U.K. With the gambling industry booming and its negative social impacts, implementing a levy on remote betting to lift the two-child benefit cap not only makes economic sense but is also morally right and politically favorable.
Right narrative
The betting industry is a net positive for the U.K., contributing £6.8 billion to the economy and £4 billion in taxes annually, as well as supporting 109,000 jobs. Additional taxes would not only jeopardize this considerable asset but would also open the door to malign black market actors who would put customers at risk.