Benefit cap cut very tough for families, says minister

A cut in the maximum amount of benefits households can claim each year will be "very tough" for "vulnerable" families, a Welsh government minister has said.

The change is part of plans in George Osborne's Budget for £12bn of welfare savings.

Mr Osborne also announced a compulsory "living wage" of £7.20 an hour from next April, rising to £9 by 2020.

The chancellor stressed his commitment to a funding floor and more powers for Wales, and road and rail improvements.

But Welsh government Finance Minister Jane Hutt said the drop in the annual benefits cap outside London, from £26,000 to £20,000, would affect four to five thousand households in Wales.