David Cameron accused of breaking his promise on cutting

David Cameron was accused of ‘an outrageous broken promise’ over plans to slash middle-class benefits yesterday.

The absent Prime Minister came under repeated fire after his deputy Nick Clegg made it clear that ‘painful’ cuts will be necessary to the welfare budget.

Critics seized on revelations in yesterday’s Mail that universal child benefit and winter fuel payments to the over 60s were facing the axe.

Mr Cameron was even told that cuts to the £250-a-year winter fuel handout, and raising the age of those who can claim from 60 to 75, would 14cost lives.

Labour politicians and unions accused Mr Cameron of reneging on an election promise to preserve handouts for the elderly.