Nick Clegg has ruled out rolling child benefit into Universal Credit
Highlights from @nick_clegg‘s visit to Hazel Grove, feat. @Lisa_Smart, @NKTheatreArts & a surprise bartender #GE2015 pic.twitter.com/yifpfQIiHl
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Speaking in Newtown, Mid Wales, Mr Clegg was asked if his party would rule out the move. He said: “Child benefit rolled into the Universal Credit will not be in our manifesto because we are not planning the very, very extensive reductions in support given to the most vulnerable in our society that the Conservatives are.”
Earlier today George Osborne, the chancellor, refused to rule out cutting child benefits payments for millions of households by wrapping them into the Universal Credit system.
According to the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies the move could strip about 4.3 million middle and upper-middle income families of more than £1,000 a year.
Mr Clegg said: “It’s no surprise to me that the Conservatives are considering pretty dramatic changes like taking child benefit away from lots of families because they have committed to taking £12 billion away from some of the most vulnerable families in this country.”
Mr Osborne said earlier today the Conservatives must be judged on their approach to Universal Credit in Parliament, not on hypothetical changes.
He said: “We have a track record, a plan based on clear principles, making work pay. If we had wanted to do it, we would have done it.”