YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING

Women are now forced to fill in a form to qualify for extra support if a subsequent child was conceived through rape.

The rules are being boycotted by SNP Health Secretary Shona Robison – and the three charities are also refusing to assist with the Tory policy.

But in their letter, they warned: “We are mindful that although international evidence is very clear that few women will disclose experiences of sexual violence and domestic abuse in order to increase their income from social security, some women accessing our services will require to do so.”

The charities called for details on the appeals process and where the burden of proof lies.

They also want answers families that already have at least two children? How many of these pregnancies does DWP estimate will be terminated?”

That concern has already been raised by charity Turn2us, who told MPs that pregnant women are asking call handlers to undertake a benefit check to find out whether they should have an abortion.

Emma Ritch, executive director of Engender, said yesterday: “It has long been clear that the so-called ‘rape clause’ and the family cap which underpins it are unworkable policies.

“We also know, however, that women in Scotland will be seeking information on how the UK Government intend to implement the policies, and how it will impact on their families.

“We hope that, seven weeks on from the implementation of the policy, we will receive answers to these questions from the minister.”

A DWP spokesman said: “We consulted widely on exceptions to this policy and have ensured that women who are faced with these very difficult circumstances are exempt.

“Using third-party professionals who already support women in circumstances such as these means the exception can be applied as sensitively as possible.”

It has long been clear that the ‘rape clause’ is an unworkable policy

EMMA RITCH