Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley today raised findings from the charity Refuge in a Westminster Hall debate on the Two-Child Cap and Rape Clause.

Refuge found that the two-child limit is forcing survivors of domestic abuse and their children into poverty and, as a result, increases their financial dependence on perpetrators.

They also found that the two child limit can act as a deterrent for many women who do want to leave an abusive relationship, as they fear they will be unable to support themselves and their children should they leave.

The debate was secured by Glasgow Central MP, Alison Thewliss, who has been campaigning against the policy since it was announced in 2015.

Commenting, Angela said:

“We now finally see the full extent of the Tories punitive two-child cap, which has not only taken away vital support from families with multiple children, but can force victims of domestic abuse to remain reliant on perpetrators.

“The research from Refuge shows that women are being forced to stay in abusive relationships as a result of the two-child cap, fearing that without proper Government support they would not be able to survive independently.

“This horrific policy puts victims in impossible situations, and for which the DWP should hang their heads in shame.

“From day one, the SNP has fought against the two-child cap – the UK government must scrap this abhorrent policy now to avoid putting families, victims of domestic abuse and survivors of rape through more trauma.”