Cameron accused of 'dishonesty' amid benefit cuts speculation
Cameron is said to be considering child benefit and winter fuel payment cuts
Also In The News
|
The government should look again at the country's drug laws and consider decriminalising substances such as heroin, a leading doctor has said. |  |
Wednesday, 18, Aug 2010 04:57
by Anna Seward
David Cameron has been accused of 'dishonesty' after reports suggested he may cut child benefit and winter fuel payments.
The Conservatives pledged not to scrap winter fuel payments during their general election campaign, but the allowances are now being examined ahead of October's comprehensive spending review.
Ministers plan to save billions of pounds by making radical changes to the welfare system and reports suggest that the age at which people become eligible for the annual winter fuel payments may be raised from 60 to at least 66.
The payment may also be cut by £50 for new recipients, and by £100 for the oldest people, who received £400 last winter.
There is also speculation that child benefit could be reduced as work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith looks for ways to slash Britain's benefits bill.
Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg - who is currently covering for the Mr Cameron while he is on holiday - told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that announcements will not be made until October.
"And final decisions will only be taken much nearer the time," he added.
But shadow foreign secretary David Miliband accused the prime minister of being dishonesty and told the government to "come clean" about its plans.
He said: "Up and down Britain, pensioners rely on this benefit to get by. The payments Labour introduced mean many pensioners can heat their homes without worrying and fretting over the energy bill to come."
Meanwhile, Mr Clegg has hailed the government's progress during its first 100 days in office, describing himself as "really proud" of its achievements.
In a speech, the deputy prime minister insisted that the coalition is about more than just spending cuts.
He emphasised that, while tackling the deficit is the government's immediate priority, "our determination to fix the deficit is matched by our determination to create a more socially mobile society".