Fight to axe rape clause must go on

ESTHER McVey took two months to respond to a challenge to her hated “rape clause”.

And the answer wasn’t worth waiting for. She is sticking to the callous policy that forces women to reveal details of how their child was conceived in an act of horrifying sexual violence.

It’s the sickening by-product of Theresa May’s two-child cap on tax credits.

The only way to get more benefit for a subsequent child is if you’re covered by exemptions like the rape clause.

McVey – known as McVile for her support for welfare cuts – was put on the spot on her first day as Work and Pensions Secretary.

Former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dudgale and the SNP’s Alison Thewliss, among others, have been consistent in their calls for the policy to be ditched.

Both will have to keep fighting, along with every other politician with a conscience.

McVey says the way the clause is handled strikes the right balance for women who’ve been raped and need more welfare.

Re-read that sentence and pause to imagine how that policy can ever be worth the cash it saves the bean counters at the Treasury.

The UK Government should do the decent thing and scrap the clause and rethink the welfare cap.

Maybe then the Government can pursue the rich tax evaders who really could boost our national bank balance.