Anger as Mcvey defends benefits ‘rape clause’

Esther Mcvey defended a child benefit system “rape clause”, claiming that it gave women “an opportunity to talk”.

Victims of abusive relationships or rapes must disclose details of their trauma if they want to claim child tax credits for more than two children.

The Work and Pensions Secretary faced criticism last night after she told a Scottish Parliament committee that the requirement would offer rape victims “potentially double support”.

Jess Phillips, the Labour MP, said her comments showed “how ignorant she is of the issue of sexual violence”.