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Hayes and Harlington MP McDonnell currently sits as an independent, after Labour suspended the whip from him for in July 2024 for voting against the government over child benefit rules.

It is, right now, difficult to square extra welfare spending on winter fuel payments and child benefit, extra defence spending, and sticking to the chancellor's rules without some further tax rises in the autumn.

"Today we've issued a statement to call on the UK government to get rid of the two child benefit cap," said Morgan.

On Tuesday, a memo from Rayner's department was leaked to the Daily Telegraph, which appeared to urge the chancellor to "claw back" child benefit payments from wealthier families, alongside several other suggestions.

Universal credit bumps that up to £2,500 and he gets a further £240 for child benefit.