THE SNP’s Alison Thewliss has criticised the UK Government for publishing its response to a consultation on the controversial “rape clause” on the day of Donald Trump’s inauguration as US President.
The Conservatives want to restrict tax credits to the first two children in a family from April this year, but place an exemption on cases when a third child is born as a result of rape.
Thewliss, the MP for Glasgow Central, has led a campaign to reform the policy, saying it would force the woman to relive the trauma of being sexually attacked and could have a damaging impact on the child, who may not know the circumstances of his or her conception.
The policy was announced by the previous Tory Chancellor George Osborne as part of controversial welfare reforms.
The UK Government’s consultation on the policy closed in November last year, but its response was published on Friday afternoon while media attention was focused on America.
“It speaks volumes that the UK Government are desperate for media coverage of this callous policy to be buried,” Thewliss said.
“In its response ministers concede that most respondents felt it was unacceptable for the UK Government to ask women to re-live the ordeal of a rape just in order to make a claim for benefit.
“Despite receiving that loud and overwhelming message, this appalling and crass Tory government refuse to listen.
“The fact remains that this policy, however diluted, is still anti-women, anti-family and fundamentally wicked.”
Thewliss welcomed a number of concessions made by the government including the scrapping of any time limit on the reporting of rape by the woman.
But she added: “The UK Government’s own response clearly identifies that the most controversial aspect of the policy was the rape clause.”
Dr Marsha Scott, chief executive of Scottish Women’s Aid, said: “We have said all along that there is no way that the so-called rape clause can be made somehow ‘acceptable’ – it is a cruel and demeaning policy that revictimises women and reveals the utter callousness of so-called welfare reform.
“Hiding the results of the consultation behind the media attention on the US Presidential ceremony just adds insult to injury.”
A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: “Our welfare reforms are a key part of controlling public spending as we create an economy that works for everyone.
“This reform ensures people on benefits have to make the same choices as those supporting themselves solely through work.
“But we have always been clear this reform will be delivered in the most effective, compassionate way and we have consulted to ensure the right exceptions and safeguards are in place.”
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