British Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing, David Johnston, recently faced questions about his knowledge of child benefit amounts during an appearance on LBC Radio. The radio presenter, Nick Ferrari, quizzed the minister on the specifics of the child allowance while he was promoting his party’s proposed changes to the system.
When asked about the current rates of child allowance, Johnston admitted he wasn’t familiar with the figures, explaining, “I’m afraid, I don’t know. It’s actually not a Department for Education policy this. It’s a DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) one and I’m afraid I don’t know the exact…”
Understanding Ministerial Responsibilities
Ferrari pressed the issue further, commenting, “Sorry, is your title Minister for Children?” Johnston confirmed his role as Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing, prompting Ferrari to ask, “So I have to tell you, as the Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing, what child allowance is. What sort of job do you think you’re doing here, Minister?” Ferrari then shared the figures with listeners—£25.60 for the first child and £16.95 for each subsequent child.
Clarification and Apology
Johnston later addressed his lapse in an appearance on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, offering an apology and clarifying the scope of his departmental responsibilities. “I apologise for not knowing that figure,” he said. “It’s not run by the Department for Education, where I am a minister—it’s run by HMRC. The point about child benefit is that it’s not in the children’s minister’s role or indeed the Department for Education’s role. That was why, when asked what is the precise rate of child benefit, I did not know the answer. I now do.”
Conservative Party’s Child Benefit Plans
Despite the controversy, the exchange highlighted the Conservative Party’s proposed reforms to child benefits. Under the plan, the high-income child benefit tax charge threshold would increase to £120,000, and eligibility would be assessed at the household level rather than individually. Presently, individuals earning over £60,000 start losing child benefits, which are entirely withdrawn for those earning £80,000 or more.
This discussion occurred against the backdrop of Johnston’s tenure as MP for Wantage and Didcot since December 2019. His focus on families and child welfare has been a cornerstone of his role.
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