Osborne to push ahead with child benefit plans

Chancellor George Osborne today insisted that he would push ahead with controversial plans to scrap child benefit for higher rate taxpayers, after David Cameron sparked hopes of a government rethink.

Osborne said it was only "fair" that the better-off made a contribution to reduce Britain's record debts. He indicated, though, that ministers would be looking at the way the plans are implemented when the changes come into effect next year.