€10 cut in child benefit ‘cruel’ to families

MINISTERS are playing on the fears of struggling families in a “cruel” softening-up operation ahead of another savage budget, critics warned last night.

Leaks that child benefit would be slashed by €10 across the board sparked the outcry, with Barnardos chief Fergus Finlay saying that such a move would “break moral boundaries” and result in children going hungry.

Cabinet Minister Leo Varadkar appeared to confirm the child benefit cut, but said it may be partially offset by increases in other payments targeting the most badly-off families.