Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has to review the income threshold for child benefit eligibility.

Child Benefit remains a universal benefit. However, the Government introduced the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) from January 2013 to ensure that support is targeted at those who need it most. It applies to anyone with an individual income over £50,000, who claims Child Benefit or whose partner claims it. The charge increases gradually for taxpayers with incomes between £50,000 and £60,000.

The Government believes that these are currently the right levels for the HICBC thresholds, but as with all elements of tax policy this remains under review.