Child benefit scare tactics ‘hit economy’

Budget kite-flying by government ministers and others is damaging the economy, according to Transport Minister Leo Varadkar.

He appeared to criticise his Cabinet colleagues for their failure to show restraint following a fortnight in which a range of reports about possible spending cuts have been leaked to the media.

The latest proposed cut to be reported was the removal of disability allowance from 16 to 18-year-olds. It followed the leak last week of a report recommending cuts to child benefit.