The leader of the council at the centre of the ‘Baby P' scandal has warned the authority is dealing with an ‘unprecedented' influx of vulnerable children since coalition ministers announced controversial plans to shift low income families from high-rent areas.

Claire Kober, leader of Haringey LBC, told The MJ her officials had managed a net inflow of 40 children on ‘child protection plans' since ministers proposed a £400-a-week cap on housing benefits that, critics claim, could force poor and vulnerable families into lower-income areas where resources are stretched.