Ruth Maguire MSP has lent her support to a campaign being led by Alison Thewliss, SNP MP, to scrap the so-called ‘rape clause’ in the proposed benefits reform of the UK Government.
The proposals seek to limit the child element of both Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit to a maximum of two children, whilst providing for exceptions such as unforseeable multiple births, or the case of a child being conceived as a result of rape.
The prospect of women having to prove to government officials that they have been raped in order to gain access to benefits has been denounced by Alison Thewliss and other campaigners, including the First Minister, as ‘digusting’ and led to a campaign to ‘scrap the rape clause’.
As a result of the ongoing pressure from the campaign, the UK Government has now put the proposals out to consultation.
Ruth Maguire MSP 