This week a Treasury source let slip that voters actually backed a government policy.

A new poll says 77% of voters support the Conservative plan to scrap benefits for those earning over £42,000 a year.

While Labour and Liberal types bemoan the plight of the expectant mothers, it seems the nation is finally in line with its government on something.

Let’s face it, child benefit costs us a fortune. While many men and women trudge to work, their hard slog is often funding others to settle down and have a family at their benefit. While there is nothing wrong with being a housewife, it shouldn’t be at others’ expense. Surely if you can afford to stay at home with your child then you don’t need child benefit.

Nick Clegg does have one point though in all of this. The threshold means that those earning slightly under £42,000 could theoretically take home £80,000 as a couple while one person earning £42,000 wouldn’t get any help at all. This needs to be looked at.

As the loose-lipped Treasury source rightly said, it isn’t fair that someone earning £20,000 pays for the clothes on a baby’s back belonging to a parent earning twice that.

Child benefit should be for those who really need it – ie those on the poverty line, single parents with no support network or partner on the scene. It should be incorporated as vouchers only applicable on children’s clothing, food, toys and books.

It’s all well and good wanting to bring a child into the world but it is your responsibility and your responsibility alone to afford to pay for his or her needs.

Babies aren’t cheap.  But neither are houses, utility bills or cars. These are necessities yet we do not receive any benefits for these. I do not expect the taxpayer to pick up the tab for these so why is a child any different?

It is about time parents learned to support themselves.

The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), who are kicking up a fuss about the planned cuts however, aren’t so keen for this.

Pressing the need for child benefit, CPAG says that the state handout gives mothers a ‘sense of independence and recognition’. How is giving money to someone giving them independence? Dependence surely?

And recognition? Recognition for what exactly? Increasing the birth rate and the pressure on the world population? For doing what we're programmed to do? Well done them, let’s give them a medal.

What about the recognition for those who go out and work and earn those benefits?

As a woman, I understand that being a mother is the most natural thing in the world. It is not natural however to expect another mother to feed and clothe your child, and in the same way it isn’t right to expect the state and its taxpayers to pay for your choice.

Tags: Child benefit, Child Poverty Action Group, David Cameron, Nick Clegg