Alexander: Tories proposed child benefit cut

Conservative leader David Cameron has ruled out any changes to child benefit, after accusations the Tories are secretly planning to make cuts after the election.

Speaking to ITV News deputy political editor Chris Ship, Mr Cameron said there was a two-year freeze on the payment, which he labelled an "absolutely crucial" benefit.

And pushed on the subject, he confirmed there would be no change to the current arrangement at all - neither in terms of the higher rate nor in terms of means testing.

Danny Alexander has accused the Conservatives of being bent on "slashing support for families" as he went public with Tory proposals for an extra £8 billion of welfare cuts that were vetoed by the Liberal Democrats.

The Tories have dismissed the claim as "desperate stuff" from the Lib Dems, and insisted the proposals were "definitely not our policy".

ITV News Political Correspondent Emily Morgan reports from the Lib Dem campaign trail:

The policy document at the centre of Danny Alexander's leak of "secret" Tory welfare cuts was commissioned by Alexander and was not backed by the Conservative party, George Osborne has claimed

The Chancellor hit back after the Lib Dem Chief Secretary leaked what he claims were Tory proposals to cut child benefits by £8 billion.

Speaking on BBC London, Mr Osborne added that Labour "wants to put up the benefits bill and that means higher taxes for working people."

He said that the Conservative party would cut taxes for working people "and we think savings can be made in the welfare system."

Labour leader Ed Miliband has responded to the Liberal Democrats leak that claims the Conservative party planned £8 billion of welfare cuts.

A Conservative Party spokesman denied Alexander's claims.

"This set of policies was never proposed or supported by the Prime Minister and Chancellor and would never be proposed or supported by the PM and Chancellor," a spokesman said.

Nick Clegg has backed Danny Alexander's decision to leak "secret" Tory plans to make £8 billion of welfare cuts.

Speaking on a an LBC radio phone-in this morning, the Deputy Prime Minister said that he shared the Lib Dem Chief Secretary to the Treasury's "intense frustration verging on anger".

More: Danny Alexander: Tories plan to slash support for families