Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has strongly criticised the UK Government on the day that they have introduced the rape clause, forcing women to prove their third of subsequent child was conceived as a result of rape in order to receive child tax credits.
In July 2015, the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, announced in his summer budget plans to slash child tax credit payments to just two children per family and implement a ‘non-consensual sex exemption’, dubbed the rape clause.
The new policy, which came into force at midnight last night, requires tax credit claimants, whose third or subsequent child was conceived as a result of rape, to prove this to social workers and health professionals in order to qualify for the exemption.
Faith leaders, women’s welfare groups, trade unions and child poverty campaigners have all condemned the policy, with many sexual violence support charities refusing to act as third party verifiers for the Government.
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said: “Even by their own abject standards, the UK Government have stooped to a new low and introduced the rape clause – one of the most distressing, disgusting and inhumane polices that I have ever come across.
“In order to continue to receive their tax credits, this shameful and vile policy will force women to have to prove that their third or subsequent child was conceived as a result of rape. This is utterly appalling and will only seek to make rape survivors relive the trauma and brutality of the sexual violence they experienced at the hands of their perpetrator.
“In addition, independent analysis also shows that well over 200,000 children will now move into relative poverty as a result of this deeply flawed policy
“This policy is now live and will undoubtedly cause untold distress. The UK government must step in today and suspend this right now before serious damage is done.”
