Tax credits rape clause is a scandal
TOMORROW night, women’s groups will gather in Glasgow’s George Square to demand an end to the UK Government’s “rape clause”.
Many people are only now learning of this barbaric new rule in which women will be denied tax credits for a third child unless they can “prove” it was conceived as a result of rape.
Scotland’s minister for social security, Jeane Freeman, has described it as a “fundamental human rights violation”.
Unfortunately, Jeane is not in a position to do anything about it. Much has been made of Scotland’s new welfare powers. But they only cover a small number of social security benefit areas. Tax credits, like universal benefit and employment support allowance, remain in the grip of Westminster. And what a cruel hand that is.
Restricting child tax credits to two kids is an appalling attack on the family – and society in general.
Children are an investment for the future for all of us, not just their own parents. Today’s kids will soon be the working adults whose taxes will pay for our pensions and NHS treatment. That’s why families with children should get support. It will be paid back many times over.
This is all bad enough. The rape clause adds insult to an already indecent policy.
Alison Thewliss, one of our SNP MPs at Westminster, has been fighting the policy for months. She recently had her request for an emergency debate on the subject turned down in the Commons.
In her application, Alison said: “Women who have faced the worst trauma of their lives — being raped and becoming pregnant as a result – are being forced to relive that trauma just to claim tax credits.
“That is a gross and despicable invasion of privacy. I believe that we owe it to these women and their children to hold this Government to account.”
Alison is to be congratulated in her campaign.
But as with so much else, the Tories refuse to listen. They have no shame. And no conscience.