Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan has called on Highlands and Islands Tory MSPs to “stop acting as mere mouthpieces for the UK Government”, and to show the courage to oppose the Tory Government’s “shocking and inhumane rape clause”.  

This limits tax credits to only two children per family – unless the mother can prove that a third child was conceived as a result of rape.

Many sexual violence support charities such as Rape Crisis Scotland and Scottish Women’s Aid have said they will refuse to act as third party verifiers for the UK government, not least due to the trauma and stigma that the rape assessment process will cause both survivors and children of rape.

Alasdair Allan MSP commented:

“I know from talking with groups like Western Isles Rape Crisis the huge challenges that face survivors of rape in the Isles. The absolute last thing that we as a society should be doing is asking them to disclose highly traumatic and distressing information in order to claim tax credits. This is an utterly shameful policy.    

“The so called two child policy seriously threatens to drive up child poverty. It will mean a loss of up to £2,800 every year per child for hardworking families. Instead of standing up for working families the Scottish Tories are defending the indefensible welfare cuts coming from Westminster.

“I will continue to fight these heartless policies and I have written to Conservative MSPs who claim to represent the Highlands and Islands asking them to stand up for the dignity and human rights of women in Scotland and to condemn this appalling policy.”