Oxfordshire-based children's minister David Johnston, who is standing for re-election as Wantage MP, has been grilled after failing to answer a media question about child allowance. 

Appearing on LBC Radio to promote Conservative plans to extend the child benefit system, he struggled to answer a specific question about how much parents received at present. 

Presenter Nick Ferrari asked: “Just for my listeners who are not familiar, so they can get full details, how much is child allowance?"

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Mr Johnston replied: “I’m afraid, I don’t know.

"It’s actually not a Department for Education policy this. It’s a DWP (Department of Work and Pensions) one and I’m afraid I don’t know the exact…”

Mr Ferrari continued: "Sorry, is your title Minister for Children?" 

Mr Johnston confirmed that it was. 

Mr Johnston added: “Well, we don’t run the benefits, I’m afraid. You’re right, I should have found out before I came on here.”

The pair continued to clash, as Mr Ferrari said: “So I have to tell you, as the Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing, what child allowance is. What sort of job do you think you’re doing here, Minister?”

Mr Ferrari went on to tell the listeners that the payment was £25.60 for the first child and £16.95 for each additional child. 

Mr Johnston was later quizzed on the payments in an appearance on ITV's Good Morning Britain, and he apologised for his mistake referencing Rishi Sunak's own apology for leaving the D-Day anniversary ceremony in France.

Mr Johnston said: “Going back to the theme of apologising when you have made a mistake, I apologise for not knowing that figure.

“It’s not run by the Department for Education, where I am a minister - it’s run by HMRC.”

“The point about child benefit is that it’s not in the children’s minister’s role or indeed the Department for Education’s role that was why when asked what it is the precise rate of child benefit that I did not know the answer, I now do know the answer.”

The Conservative plans would mean those earning six-figures  could keep more of their child benefit.

The party has outlined plans to raise the high income child benefit tax charge threshold to £120,000 - and base it per household rather than individuals.

Currently, parents or parents’ partners start to lose child benefits if they earn more than the £60,000 threshold.

Once parents or their partners’ income is over £80,000, they cannot keep any of their child’s benefit.

Mr Johnston was first elected MP for Wantage and Didcot in December 2019.