Universal allowances, such as child benefit, could be curbed to help fund a major shake-up of the welfare system, David Cameron has indicated.

The prime minister wants to wrap all existing out-of-work benefits into a single payment that encourages work.

Speaking as the Tory conference got under way in Birmingham, he said the plan would get substantial numbers of people off benefit and into work.

Labour accused the government of planning a massive assault on families.

But Mr Cameron told the BBC the coalition's planned welfare reforms were "refreshingly radical" and would mean people would always be better off in work.

Appearing on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, he said the welfare reforms would cost more upfront, but the changes would be phased in, with other welfare savings made to cover the cost.

He declined to confirm or deny reports that these cuts would include ending some universal benefits such as child benefit paid for those over the age of 16.

He said: "On the one hand we have got to ask, are there some areas of universal benefits that are no longer affordable?

"But on the other hand let us look at the issue of dependency where we have trapped people in poverty through the extent of welfare that they have."

The Tories are only interested in you if you can afford to run a Bentley.

The problem is that with the nature of the economy now, even middle class voters will fall into the benefits system and discover that they immediately fall into poverty as a result of the cut backs.

The problem is that with the nature of the economy now, even middle class voters will fall into the benefits system and discover that they immediately fall into poverty as a result of the cut backs.

How many people in poverty still have pay TV, 2nd cars, holidays etc?

I do not know anyone on benefits who has a second car.

As much as I don't like the idea of losing out on £20 a week. It does seem like a fair way of cutting costs.

As much as I don't like the idea of losing out on £20 a week. It does seem like a fair way of cutting costs.

Personally I think ALL benefits should be means tested

We're onto the 'if you can't afford kids, don't have them' argument again, aren't we...

Jon