Gavin Newlands MP challenges Tory politicians on the ‘poisonous’ Rape Clause
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has challenged the West of Scotland Conservative MSPs and those standing as Conservative candidates in the local government elections to outline whether they share the same view as their party leader, Ruth Davidson, and support women having to prove that their third or subsequent child was born as a result of rape in order to continue to receive vital support for their children.
The UK Government has recently railroaded a policy through the UK Parliament which will restrict entitlement to child tax credits for the first two children and forces women to prove that their third child was born as a result of rape in order to claim child tax credits.
The SNP has been campaigning against the ‘Rape Clause’ since it was announced in 2015 and have received support from all the political parties apart from the Conservatives. Earlier this week, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives stated her support for the Rape Clause.
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said:
“The Rape Clause and two-child limit for child tax credits is one of the most poisonous policies ever to come out of Westminster and even at this late stage, it should be scrapped completely.
“Forcing women to have to prove that their third or subsequent child was conceived of rape in order to receive vital support for their children would shame most people. However, Conservative politicians are ignoring the damage that this abhorrent policy will cause survivors of sexual violence and their children. If there was any doubt, it’s clear that the Conservatives are as nasty and as vindictive as ever before.
“Ruth Davidson should be ashamed of supporting the Rape Clause. It’s important that the Conservative MSPs representing the West of Scotland and those looking to represent us in Renfrewshire Council confirm whether they support the Rape Clause and outline their reasons for forcing women to have to prove that they were raped in order to continue to receive vital support for their children.
