As an MP in Salford, where 44.7% of children live in poverty with some wards closer to 60%, I urged the Government in the King’s Speech debate to scrap the two-child limit on Universal Credit. This is something many struggling families have raised with me but it’s also something that every child poverty expert has called for. Scrapping the two-child limit would lift hundreds of thousands of children across the country out of poverty.

I support the King’s Speech and support Government pledges to roll out breakfast clubs and to instigate a child poverty task force. I am gravely concerned however that this will take considerable time to pass through the relevant stages of consultation and indeed into final legislation.

That is why I voted in favour of scrapping the two-child limit.

I am deeply saddened to have had the whip suspended for six months. As a strict matter of conscience, on this occasion I felt I must speak for my constituents who have no voice in the hope that the Government urgently helps them on this issue. I will continue to work with the Government and colleagues to help the constituents I represent.