Labour accused of copying Tory idea

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Andy Burnham signalled a shift in Government thinking by arguing there was a "moral case" for promoting marriage.

His comments follow years of criticism from ministers that Tory promises of tax incentives for marriage discriminate against the children of separated or cohabiting parents.

Shadow chancellor George Osborne seized on the move as further proof that the Conservatives were setting the political agenda while Labour left-wingers accused Gordon Brown's team of "disgracefully" aping the Tories.

It follows a series of moves by the Government to marginalise the Tories by adopting similar policies on inheritance tax, air passenger duty and non-domiciles.

The Treasury later quashed suggestions that married couples could be in line for a tax boost under Labour and insisted there was no change of policy.

But Mr Burnham's comments appeared at odds with previous statements about tax and the family. In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, he said: "I think marriage is best for kids."

He added: "I don't think the tax system is the reason people get married, nor is it the reason people stay together...but it's not wrong that the tax system should recognise commitment and marriage."

Tory leader David Cameron has made tax incentives for marriage one of the central pledges of his pitch for power. But ministers have attacked the strategy because it would hit children whose parents are not married.

The Treasury issued a statement saying that Mr Burnham's comments had been taken out of context and had been referring to inheritance tax changes in Tuesday's Pre-Budget Report. A move to allow married couples and civil partners to pass on their tax-free allowances will effectively double the threshold for those who are wed.