Scottish Government planning informal boycott of ‘rape clause’

The Scottish Government could instigate an informal boycott of the so-called rape clause and has called on the UK Government to “think again”.

Health Secretary Shona Robison has written to the UK Government, saying the Scottish Government will not pass on Whitehall guidance on carrying out the policy to NHS Scotland, the Daily Record reported.

The rule, part of changes to the benefits system, requires rape victims claiming tax credits for a third or subsequent child to prove they became pregnant as a result of an attack or while in a coercive relationship in order to qualify.

A professional third party, such as an NHS worker, rape charity staff, social worker or police officer, would have to be convinced the claim was legitimate to fill out the exemption form.

Ms Robison wrote to Employment Minister Damian Hinds and Treasury Secretary David Gauke, urging a rethink of the policy and outlining the informal boycott.

She told the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme: “What we’ve said to the UK Government is the guidance as it stands at the moment cannot be disseminated.

“The UK Government really needs to take a step back from this, they need to look at the policy as a whole but particularly this guidance.

“This policy is a shambles and the UK Government has to think again.”

The policy has sparked a political row in Scotland and led to a protest in Glasgow last week, attended by 300 people.

Charities including Rape Crisis Scotland and Scottish Women’s Aid said they would not cooperate with the clause.