However Labour's Debbie Abrahams accused the government of "punishing hard-working families instead of taxing bankers".

BBC: Westminster Hall

His opponents include Labour candidate Debbie Abrahams.

BBC: Oldham by-election contest is 'really close' says Clegg

Labour MP Debbie Abrahams, an aide to shadow health secretary Andy Burnham, said she backed the idea, in principle, of using pre-paid benefit cards to encourage people to make healthy eating choices by offering discounts on fruit and vegetables, for example.

BBC: UK Politics