MAINSTREAM Scottish opinion has been “appalled and shocked” by a Scottish Conservative MSP’s claim that people who did not work could not have as many children as they liked, MPs have been told.

The SNP’s Pete Wishart condemned the remarks made by Michelle Ballantyne in the Scottish Parliament's chamber on Wednesday, declaring: "We don't want these 19th century, Tory, Victorian values in Scotland."

Mr Wishart, who is the Nationalists’ Shadow Leader in the Commons, called for a debate on the further devolution of social security.

"There were simply appalling remarks in the Scottish Parliament yesterday when the Conservatives' social security spokesperson, Michelle Ballantyne, said on the two-child benefit cap that 'it is fair that people on benefit cannot have as many children as they like'.

"A comment that has simply appalled and shocked mainstream opinion in Scotland,” insisted the Perth MP.

He went on: "We don't want these 19th century, Tory, Victorian values in Scotland; we want a social security system designed on dignity and respect at its heart.

"So can we have a debate on further devolution of social security so that the views of people like Ms Ballantyne will hold no sway in our nation?" he asked Andrea Leadsom, the Commons Leader.

On Wednesday, Ms Ballantyne, a mother-of-six, said: "The two-child limit is about fairness. It is fair that people on benefit cannot have as many children as they like while people who work and pay their way and don't claim benefits have to make decisions about the number of children they can have."

The Tory MSP has come under sustained fire for her remarks from political opponents at Holyrood bit she has refused to apologise and has accused critics of having an “emotional reaction”.

Universal Credit was introduced as part of the UK Government's overhaul of the welfare system.

Critics say cuts to payments and widespread problems with its implementation have led to many people falling into hardship or dropping out of the benefit system altogether.

The introduction of the two-child benefit cap, limiting tax credits and Universal Credit to a family's first two children has also been attacked.