George Osborne has rejected claims by the Lib Dem Danny Alexander that the Tories proposed to cut child benefit while they were in government together.
Mr Alexander, effectively Mr Osborne’s deputy in coalition, said he was “lifting the lid” on Tory plans which included limiting child benefit and tax credits to two children reports BBC.
He claimed his party blocked the move, which he said was worth £8bn.
But Mr Osborne said the claims were three years old, and never policy.
Mr Alexander, who held the post of Chief Secretary to the Treasury in the last government, has admitted leaking a document which he claims details the Conservatives’ plans to cut the welfare budget.
The Tories have said they will cut welfare by £12bn if they win the next election, but the party has not explicitly set out where all the cuts will come from.
Speaking to BBC London Mr Osborne said the document Mr Alexander was using to substantiate his accusations was “three years old” and “commissioned by the chief secretary himself”.