Child tax credit caps are a new low

THE Tory assault on social security has been raised to a whole new level.

Changes brought in yesterday mean child tax credits will be capped beyond two children.

Shockingly, women have to fill in a declaration if a third child was conceived by rape. What an astonishing affront to dignity.

This callous plan was dreamed up by George Osborne in 2015.

Despite two years going by, they defended it all the way.

And yesterday, even with near universal condemnation, the Scottish Tories backed their UK colleagues. Not only that, they described it as the most “sensitive” way to deal with exemptions to the cap.

Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson has proved she is more than willing to ditch her principles and side with the UK Government on Brexit.

But it is still surprising to see how willing the Scottish Tories are to support this welfare policy.

If you can look past this horrible development, you will also see grim warnings of the financial distress welfare changes are causing.

As we report today, families are really struggling to get by. And with every new squeeze, life gets harder still for those that need the most support.

MPs such as Alison Thewliss have put up a strong fight against welfare cuts and the “rape clause”.

It’s time for the UK Government to take off the blinkers and look hard at the damage they are causing.