What is the impact of the benefit cap and two-child limit on the health and wellbeing of children and young people in the UK? A rapid review of qualitative evidence

Over the past 15 years, the UK government has implemented significant welfare reforms. This paper reports a rapid review of qualitative data about the impact of the benefit cap and two-child limit on children and young people's health and wellbeing. Four peer-reviewed journal articles and 21 grey literature sources were included. The review, the first synthesis of qualitative evidence, demonstrates that the policies reduce children and young people's access to key resources for health and wellbeing; they create stress, anxiety, shame, exclusion and relational tensions, and intensify existing inequalities. The current socioeconomic context exacerbates the negative impacts of the policies.