Child benefit limited to three children as part of Tory bid to slash welfare bill
CHILD benefit could be limited to three children under Tory plans to slash Britain’s welfare bill, it emerged yesterday.
The proposals will only affect babies born after the law has been changed and could save the Government £300million a year.
At the moment there are around 320,000 families with four or more children.
Child benefit is paid to families with children under 16 – or under 20 if they are in education or training.
But since 2013 families with one parent earning more than £50,000 a year have been excluded from claiming the benefit.
Those eligible receive £20.50 a week for a first child, then £13.55 for other children.
James Browne, of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, said the move would eventually save hundreds of millions of pounds – but not for several years because it only affects babies born after the law is changed.
I think we do want the welfare system to send a message about personal responsibility
Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has previously proposed a two-child limit, but Chancellor George Osborne is understood to have rejected it.
The Treasury is now “softening” to the idea and examining the details.
Conservative MP Dominic Raab said it was not purely about cost but could “send a message about personal responsibility”.
“There is a much broader point than just the financial bean counting,” he said.
“It’s the kind of welfare system we want – do we want a social safety net or are we saying that welfare is somehow a lifestyle choice?
“And I think we do want the welfare system to send a message about personal responsibility, and yes that includes parents saving and taking some responsibility for the size of their family, making sure it’s according to their means.”
The Tories plan welfare cuts of £12billion after May’s general election and have so far announced £3billion worth through a two-year freeze on benefit levels.
