Tory plans for benefit cap on large families

CHILD benefit could be limited for big families under Conservative plans to slash Britain’s welfare bill, Iain Duncan Smith said yesterday.

Iain Duncan Smith GETTY

Iain Duncan Smith suggested a child benefit cap could be introduced by a new Conservative government

The Work and Pensions Secretary suggested the cap, likely to involve restricting the payment to two children per family, could be brought in by a new Tory government.

The Tories promised welfare cuts of £12billion but have so far announced £3billion through a two-year freeze on benefit levels.

Mr Duncan Smith hinted that some of the remaining £9billion could come from curbing child benefit.

People make decisions about how many children they have in accordance with what they can afford

Iain Duncan Smith

He told BBC’s Andrew Marr: “People make decisions about how many children they have in accordance with what they can afford.”

In December, he said capping child benefit was “well worth looking at” as it would save “significant money”.

He also said his Universal Credit scheme, which replaces other income-based benefits and is being rolled out today, would save £600million.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Rachel Reeves said the scheme was behind schedule and saving far less than expected. 

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