Osborne tackled on welfare cuts
By Ian Dunt
George Osborne managed to escape a parliamentary mauling today, after an urgent question was tabled on suggestions of a massive welfare cut.
Parliamentarians repeatedly asked the chancellor about a BBC report saying an extra £4 billion would be cut from the welfare bill, but to no avail.
The question, which was originally tabled by Liberal Democrat MP Bob Russell, led to a furious exchange between Mr Osborne and shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper.
At one point Ms Cooper accused Mr Osborne of not being “straight” with the House – a statement the Speaker forced her to retract.
Ms Cooper went on to suggest that the story was given to the BBC to force the news item on Downing Street director of communications Andy Coulson off the agenda.
Mr Osborne revealed that Tory MP Edward Leigh would advise government on how to improve financial management and accountability.
