Cameron defends child benefit cuts

David Cameron has defended controversial cuts to child benefit payments that come into effect at midnight, insisting the reforms were "fundamentally fair".

The Prime Minister insisted the move, which will see families with one earner on more than £50,000 lose some or all of the payment while households with two parents with salaries just under the trigger keep theirs, was the "right approach".

He told BBC 1's Andrew Marr Show: "I'm not saying those people are rich but I think it is right that they make a contribution.

"This will raise £2 billion a year. If we don't raise that £2 billion from that group of people, the better off 15% in the country, we would have to find someone else to take it from."

He added: "I think people see it as fundamentally fair that if there is someone in the household earning over £60,000 you don't get child benefit."

It is "full steam ahead" for the coalition, Mr Cameron said as he insisted the Government had a packed agenda.

And he told Mr Marr that he had no intention of stepping aside.

He said: "I want to fight the next election as the leader of the Conservative party, I want to win a Conservative majority and I want to serve."

Mr Marr interrupted: "And stay as Prime Minister for five years?"

Mr Cameron replied: "That's exactly what I have said."