TORY and Labour MSPs have been challenged over their stance on the two-child cap as ministers outlined how an independent Scotland could deliver a fairer benefits system.

The Holyrood debate called for Scotland to have a social security system which embeds "dignity, fairness and respect" and focused on the recently published white paper on proposals for welfare after independence.

But opposition parties were challenged on their stance on the two-child limit on parents claiming benefits after Keir Starmer said a UK Labour government would not scrap the policy which was introduced by the Tories but implement it “more fairly”.

Independence minister Jamie Hepburn asked Labour MSP Katy Clark if her party would “tolerate” Starmer’s position on the continuation of the cap.

READ MORE: New figures show 90,000 Scots children hit by two-child benefit cap

He added: “And will they reflect on that fact that even if they say they won’t, they will have absolutely no influence over that position whatsoever?”

Clark responded: “The minister and indeed his colleagues have made this point on numerous occasions and on numerous occasions it has been made clear that the Scottish Labour party is opposed to the two-child cap and indeed there will be a review of the entire Universal Credit system under the next Labour government.

“And I make it very clear to the minister that the Scottish Labour government and indeed Labour representatives will fight for a system that supports the most vulnerable.”

SNP MSP Kevin Stewart also intervened to raise the issue with Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour, as he asked how the social security system would be funded.

Balfour said: “What promises will they abandon, what budget portfolio will be cut to make more room for social security or how much will they pay to raise taxes?”

READ MORE: Scottish parents describe impact of two-child benefit cap

Stewart said: “Mr Balfour has talked about fantasy and what the people of Scotland are fed up of is the nightmare of Tory government and Tory cuts to social security spending which has withdrawn the safety net.

“What I would ask Mr Balfour is he happy that the two-child cap is in place, is he happy that the rape clause remains in place, is he happy about the social security cuts that have impacted on disabled people here in our country?”

Balfour responded by saying Stewart had failed to answer his question.

The motion endorsing the Scottish Government’s recent paper on social security in an independent Scotland was passed by MSPs, with a total of 63 backing it while 53 voted against.

Tory and Labour amendments to the motion fell.