McVey urges city councillors to attend two-child limit demo

“This treatment is cruel and it is inexcusable” – City of Edinburgh Council Leader Adam McVey

SNP Council leader, Adam McVey, has called on all City of Edinburgh councillors to attend a demonstration, on Thursday and show their opposition to the UK Government’s Two Child Cap and associated “Rape Clause”.

The Demo follows an appearance from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions where she was pressed by the Scottish Parliament’s Social Security committee over the UK government’s position on the two child limit and the non-consensual conception exemption – commonly known as the rape clause. Far from showing remorse, the Secretary of State said the policy could offer “double support” and an “opportunity” to talk about their experience.

Campaigners, Politicians and Women’s organisations have said that the Secretary’s defence adds “insult to injury” and is completely out of step with how damaging the two child limit is, and she demonstrated as much with her performance at yesterday’s committee hearing.

Council leader Adam McVey, SNP councillor for Leith, said: “This policy is the worst attack on women and children by the UK government in my lifetime.

“It shows just how reckless the UK Government is. The Two Child Cap will push 200,000 children below the poverty line, and force women to prove that they have been raped, or face additional hardship for them and their family. This treatment is cruel and it is inexcusable.

“The issue of rape is an incredibly sensitive one, and it is not being treated as such. The very fact that women’s aid organisations in Scotland are refusing to act as third-party referrers should be a clear sign about the policy’s viability and it’s lack of understanding of the needs of victims.

“This is shameful policy damaging the life chances of children and families in Edinburgh and across the entire country. I look forward to joining with charities, agencies and activists at the protest on Thursday – and I am calling on all other councillors to join me. The Tory government needs to axe the two child limit and rape clause now.”

The demonstartion takes place at 5.30pm on Thursday on The Mound.