It comes ahead of a debate in the Assembly later today (14 October) around tackling child poverty.

The Lagan Valley MP has said: “Every day this cruel policy stays in place, children suffer. It’s that simple.

“The two child benefit cap is both economically illiterate and morally wrong. It comes at a significant financial cost to the tax payer, and achieves nothing other than sinking more and more families into poverty. I’m proud to have previously stood in Parliament and voted in favour of getting rid of it for good, and will continue to do so until that is achieved.

“This Labour Government has been in power for over a year and we’ve seen little but under-delivery and broken promises that have left more families struggling. Policies like this are political choices, and political choices can be undone. If Labour truly believed in creating a fair and equitable society, it would be gone by now.

Ms Mulholland, Alliance’s Communities spokesperson, added: “Families here in Northern Ireland are feeling the pain of this policy every single day. The removal of the two child limit remains a pressing concern that would dramatically reduce the number of children in Northern Ireland living in poverty.

“We’ll be asking the Communities Minister Gordon Lyons what discussions have taken place with the Department of Work and Pensions around the need to abolish the two child limit, because if Westminster ever finds its conscience, we must be ready to act fast to get families the support they deserve.”