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David Cameron has broken a promise not to cut child tax credits - and the evidence is staring him in the face.

This footage shows the slick PM saying not once but twice that he'd protect the benefits, which top up the salaries of Britain's worst-paid people.

That was on April 30, before the general election.

Fast forward barely three months and he's taken a sledgehammer to his vow in yesterday's budget.

George Osborne unveiled a litany of cuts to child tax credit, including restricting the £2,700-a-year payments to the first two children.

Ministers insist existing families won't be affected - but they will if they stop claiming for more than 6 months.

(Image: BBC)

Labour says the changes will cost hard-working families hundreds of pounds a year, even when the new living wage is factored in.

Mr Cameron made his promise in the BBC Question Time election special on April 30 - and it's not gone unnoticed by Labour figures.

Leadership contender Yvette Cooper declared on Twitter: "David Cameron told David Dimbleby that child tax credit will not fall - today he cut it."

The exchange came when an audience member asked Mr Cameron to 'put to bed' rumours he'd cut child tax credit, or restrict child benefit to two children.

The idea was put forward in a report by the respected Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank.

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He replied: "Thank you Jenny for that question.

"No, I don't want to do that. This report that's out today is something I rejected at the time as Prime Minister and I reject it again today."

Host David Dimbleby then pushed him on the detail, saying some people were clearly worried.

The PM replied: "Child tax credit we increased by £450."

"And it's not going to fall?" asked the presenter.

The PM confirmed: "It's not going to fall."

READ MORE: How will the Budget affect my tax credits? Everything you need to know about George Osborne's raid