SNP launch rape clause petition

Stirling SNP launched a petition on Wednesday to stop the controversial ‘rape clause’coming to Stirling.

As part of the UK Government’s changes to tax credits, child benefit is to be capped at two children per family with an exception for those conceived as the result of rape.

Mothers who wish to apply for the exemption must then provide evidence of the exceptional circumstances.

The controversial clause has received cross-party condemnation, with political parties and women’s aid groups calling for it to be scrapped.

Stirling SNP’s petition is part of a larger campaign by the party to pressure the UK Government to abandon the policy.

The petition states:“As part of their wider cuts to welfare, the Tory Government plan to introduce a cap on the number of children that they will support through Child Tax Credits within disadvantaged families to just two. If a woman conceived her third child as the result of a rape, she will be required by the UK Government to fill out an eight page form to prove it.

“This is a vile policy, which cuts support to children from disadvantaged backgrounds, and puts rape victims into this disgraceful situation.”

A Scottish Conservative spokesperson said:“Limiting child tax credits to two children is a sensible, proportionate policy, as are the exceptions that ensure those mothers and children that should receive more benefits get them.

“Yet more contrived outrage from the SNP who are only really concerned about independence.”