‘Rape clause’ sums up the selfish Tories

Last week saw the Tory Government at Westminster and the Tory Opposition in Scotland shame themselves by refusing to condemn the rape clause, the abhorrent new policy that requires women to prove they were raped to receive tax credits for a third child thus conceived.

The 2015 Budget saw the introduction of this policy, restricting tax credits to only the first two children of a family, and forcing women who have been raped to prove this in order to receive tax credits for a third child. The policy came into effect at the start of April this year, and has faced vehement opposition from the SNP, the Labour Party, the Green Party, the Liberal Democrats and huge numbers of individuals across society.

This is a disgraceful and vindictive policy that shows absolutely no compassion to the suffering and pain of a woman who has been the victim of the most appalling crime.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission said at the end of last week that, because of this policy, there is a clear risk of the further traumatisation of rape survivors. Where the UK Government should be doing everything in its power to support women through the trauma of rape, they are instead forcing them to relive their ordeal in order to claim tax credits to support their child.

It is frankly ridiculous that I or anyone else should have to make this argument in 2017.

The two child policy itself is a direct attack on low-wage families with children, with the Institute for Fiscal Studies reporting that 600,000 households across the UK will be £2500 a year worse off.

At a time when the Start Up Stirling foodbank is providing lifeline assistance to the highest number of families since its inception, and with fears that anticipated changes to Universal Credit will further increase demand for this service, Tory attacks on the welfare system to punish lowincome families could not have come at a worse time.

To be clear, this policy is not only immoral: it is also unworkable. NHS Scotland and others have already refused to cooperate with the introduction of the rape clause, not least because there is no training or guidance in how they are to assess who is a rape victim but also due to the wholly unacceptable burden it will put on health workers and third sector organisations in supporting victims.

The most simple of questions, such as what burden of proof is required to prove rape, cannot be answered by the UK Government.

Since my election to Parliament in 2015, I have been passionate in holding the Government to account. It’s fair to say that this policy epitomises the selfish political ideology espoused by the Tories that deliberately and systemically attacks the most vulnerable people in our society, and blames them for the position they are in.

I will continue to speak out against the abhorrent rape clause and support demands that the UK Government drops this disgusting and pernicious policy.

For the past two years, it has been my honour to represent the magnificent Stirling Constituency in Parliament. However, the Prime Minister has called a snap election, and I can confirm that I will be a candidate in that election.

During the election period, my office will be open and available to undertake casework and offer advice and assistance to constituents. Therefore, throughout the election period, my office can be contacted at Springfield House, Laurelhill Business Park, Stirling FK7 9JQ, by phone at 01786 406375 and by email at steven.paterson.mp@parliament. uk.