Father's child benefit bid fails

A father today failed in a landmark High Court bid for equal rights to child benefit. Kevin Barber, from Nottinghamshire, said the Government breached his human rights when it refused to pay half the benefit to him - rather than all to his ex-wife - as they share care of their younger son.

But today judge Sir Richard Tucker ruled there had been no discrimination. Mr Barber's solicitor said an appeal was likely.