Child benefit could be limited to only three children , under plans being considered by the Tories . The proposals will only hit babies born after the law has been changed and could save the Government £300million a year . At the moment there are around 320,000 families with four or more children . The Chancellor George Osborne is resisting proposals from the Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith to cap child benefit at three children . Child benefit is paid to families with children under 16 – or under 20 if they are in education or training . But since 2013 families with one parent earning more than £50,000 a year have been excluded from claiming the benefit . It currently pays £20.50 a week for a first child , then £13.55 for other children . James Browne , of the Institute for Fiscal Studies , said the move would eventually save hundreds of millions of pounds – but not for another 18 years because it only affects babies born after the law is changed . Child benefit is paid families with children under 16 - or under 20 if they are in education or training - and is worth £20.50 a week for a first child , then £13.55 for other children . Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has previously proposed a two-child limit , but George Osborne is understood to have rejected it . The Treasury is now ‘ softening ’ to the idea and is examining the details . Tory MP Dominic Raab said it was not purely about cost but could ‘ send a message about personal responsibility ’ . He said : ‘ There is a much broader point than just the financial bean counting , ’ he said . ‘ It 's the kind of welfare system we want - do we want a social safety net or are we saying that welfare is somehow a lifestyle choice ? ‘ And I think we do want the welfare system to send a message about personal responsibility , and yes that includes parents saving and taking some responsibility for the size of their family , making sure it 's according to their means. ’ But Labour MP Dame Anne Begg said people did not have children for child benefit and asked ‘ why pick on ’ large families . She said : ‘ I do n't think you have a child because you 're going to get an extra ... £13.55 a week. ’ Dame Anne added : ‘ Only one in seven families have three or more children - it 's a small number - so why pick on them ? ’
Controversial proposal would only hit babies born after rule is introduced . At the scheme there are around 320,000 babies with four or more children . Children benefit paid to under 16s - or under 20s in education or training . It is worth £ ##50 a week for a first child , then £ 13.55 for other children . Parents and Pensions including Iain Duncan Smith is championing the scheme .