Scottish public divided on the two-child benefit cap

Ipsos polling has found that the majority of Scots are supportive of there being some form of additional in-work or out-of-work benefits for those with children, but have mixed views on how this policy should be administered. Over a third (34%) agreed that benefits should be paid for a maximum of two children, as is currently the case. Support for this approach was higher among those living in households without children under the age of 18 (37%) compared to those with children (27%).

Just under a quarter (23%) felt that parents should be able to claim benefits for as many children as they have, with no limit. Preference for this was higher among those living in households with children under the age of 18 (29%) compared to those with no children (21%). One in five (20%) preferred an approach between the two, agreeing that there should be a maximum number of children for which parents can claim additional benefits, but that it should be higher than two.

Just 6 per cent of the Scottish public felt that the cap should be reduced to a maximum of one child, while fewer than 1 in 10 (9%) felt additional benefits should not be paid to people with children at all.

Technical note

Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 1,019 Scottish adults aged 16+. Polling was conducted between 18-23 August 2023. Data are weighted to match the profile of the population. All polls are subject to a wide range of potential sources of error.