4 October 2010 Last updated at 13:34 ET

Child benefit cuts 'tough but necessary' say ministers

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Chancellor George Osborne on "tough but fair" changes to benefits
Ministers have defended plans to cut child benefits to higher earners amid criticism they represent an "attack" on already hard-pressed families.

From 2013, benefits will be removed from any family where one parent earns more than about £44,000 a year.

Labour said the move - aimed at saving £1bn a year - undermined the coalition's claim to be a family-friendly government.

But Chancellor George Osborne described the plans as tough but fair.

In a speech to the Conservative conference, Mr Osborne said he was determined to "stick with" the government's five-year plan to substantially cut the deficit, even though it would result in difficult decisions that ministers would not be taking otherwise.

'Makes sense'

He also announced plans to cap the maximum amount of benefits that any single family can claim at about £26,000 - the same amount that an average family gets from work.

Mr Osborne said the move - which it is estimated could see up to 50,000 workless families worse off by an average of £93 a week and some losing up to £300 a week - would signal to people that a life on benefits cannot pay.

But unions said it would stigmatise those unable to find work and harm the young in particular.

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I will have to go to my boss and ask for a pay cut. I'm absolutely fizzingâ€