Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey has been accused of “callous disregard” after insisting the UK Government’s so-called rape clause “strikes the right balance”.
Former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale wrote to Ms McVey urging her to review the “invasive and degrading” policy on her appointment to the role in Theresa May’s reshuffle earlier this year.
Under UK Government benefit reforms, families are limited to claiming child tax credits for their first two children.
READ MORE: Claims detective told rape victim: "If you've got it flaunt it"
The controversial clause requires women to prove their third child was conceived through rape or during an abusive relationship to qualify for the benefit.
In her response Ms McVey said: “We believe that this approach strikes the right balance between ensuring claimants in these circumstances get the support they are entitled to in a manner that respects the sensitive nature of the disclosure they are required to make to a relevant professional to obtain the exception, whilst at the same time providing reassurance to the Government that the additional support is going to those for whom it is intended.”
Ms Dugdale said the reply was “deeply disappointing, and shows a callous disregard for the impact of the rape clause”.
She said: “I wrote to the minister in the hope that she would put party politics aside and, as a woman, agree that this abhorrent clause needs to go.
“Instead, she has responded by claiming that is ‘strikes the right balance’.
“I’m disgusted that she can think forcing women who conceive a child through rape to reveal their ordeal is ‘the right balance’.
“She should be thoroughly ashamed of defending one of the most abhorrent policies of a government in my adult lifetime. A Labour Government will end the vile rape clause.”
READ MORE: Claims detective told rape victim: "If you've got it flaunt it"
Ms McVey is due to appear before the Scottish Parliament’s Social Security Committee next month.
She will be questioned on problems with the roll out of Universal Credit as well as the devolution of welfare powers to Scotland.
Committee convener Clare Adamson MSP said: “This meeting comes at a vital time for social security in Scotland.
“Not only is the Parliament about finalise the Social Security Bill but there are clearly on going issues around the roll out of Universal Credit which need resolved and resolved quickly.
“That is why our committee is pleased that the Secretary of State will be appearing before us.”
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel