David Cameron defends changes to welfare payments

David Cameron has defended controversial changes to welfare payments including cuts to housing benefit for some tenants.

Speaking at the Commons Liaison Committee the prime minister said: "My argument is if welfare is one in three pounds the government spends it's impossible to deal with the problems of excessive public spending without looking at welfare."

It follows an announcement by ministers that foster carers and families of armed services personnel will be exempt from the changes to housing benefit.