"Scathing condemnation": York's Archbishop advocates for abolition of two-child benefit cap in light of growing poverty issue, terming it a 'scandalous' situation.

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, has expressed deep concern over the rising levels of child poverty in the UK, stating that it is "deeply shaming for us as a nation" to fail to address this issue.

In a bold move, the Church of England's top bishop has called for the scrapping of the two-child limit on benefits, a policy first announced by the Conservatives in 2015. According to Cottrell, this limit is one of the contributing factors to the growing child poverty.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that scrapping the two-child limit and the benefits cap would cost around £3.3 billion. However, Cottrell argues that ending this limit is the most cost-effective way to address child poverty, as it would directly help those most in need.

Cottrell has also highlighted the life-limiting impacts that children living in poverty face, stating that thousands of children in the UK go to school hungry and lack proper sleeping arrangements. He expressed frustration over the delay in the government's strategy to tackle child poverty and the number of children being dragged into poverty.

In support of Cottrell's call, a group of 38 senior figures from different faiths, including former archbishop of Canterbury Lord Rowan Williams, have signed an open letter to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor, urging them to scrap the two-child limit. The letter states that faith groups have challenged the limit on moral grounds, rejecting the state's abandonment of third and later children and the poverty this inevitably causes.

The government's child poverty taskforce is set to publish an ambitious strategy to tackle the root causes of child poverty. Originally expected in the spring, the strategy is now due to be published in the autumn.

In response to the concerns raised by Cottrell and the faith leaders, the Government spokesman reiterated that every child deserves the best start in life. The Government is investing £500million in children's development and extending free school meals. Additionally, the Government is ensuring the poorest don't go hungry in the holidays through a new £1 billion crisis support package.

However, charities and organisations working in the sector estimate that more than 100 children a day are being pulled into poverty. Cottrell backed suggestions by former prime minister Gordon Brown for gambling tax reforms and a levy on banks to fund efforts to ease poverty.

As the debate on child poverty continues, the Archbishop of York's calls for action are a stark reminder of the urgent need to address this pressing issue.