As Chancellor George Osborne continues to come under fire for his tough line on benefits cuts, Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson has voiced his feelings.

Ahead of the government's spending review in October, Mr Osborne announced a £4 billion cut in welfare which would affect those making a "lifestyle choice" of not working.

The suggestion of further cuts to benefits comes after £11bn savings was identified in June's emergency budget.

Mr Henderson said although all the spending cuts and tax rises were just speculation at this stage, he believes that people who were genuinely claiming benefits will not be affected.

He said he would be surprised if any of the proposed cuts in welfare impact any of the people living in deprived areas who require their benefits.

He said: "My understanding is that any proposed benefit cuts are cuts on those people who are abusing the system.

"I believe there is no intention on reducing the benefits of people who need them and I would not support and would actively oppose any suggestion of cuts for people that need them."

He believes the proposals to reduce housing benefits would only be for those claiming an unjustifiable amount.

He added: "It can't be right that people claiming are living in nicer houses than those living and working hard who can't afford them.

"What is being said is that people that can work and where work is available have to work and I fully support that - they should be expected to work."

Mr Henderson said he would oppose any measures which are introduced that would be detrimental to the people of Sittingbourne and Sheppey and that includes the review on what is being spent on public services.