‘George Osborne must not deprive millions of child benefit’
12 April 2012
Liberal Democrats urged Chancellor George Osborne not to cut child benefit for millions of families.
They spoke out amid reports that Mr Osborne is considering limiting the benefit for children up to the age of 16, rather than 19, to save billions.
Dr Miranda Whitehead, of the Lib-Dems women's group, told the conference: "It's simple, effective, efficient, trusted and used. Don't mess with it."
At the moment even well-off parents receive £20.30 a week child benefit for their first child and £13.40 for all further children.
Delegates today backed an amendment, tabled by Dr Whitehead, calling for child benefit to remain universal throughout childhood.
