MSPs have condemned changes to child tax credits and a controversial provision known as the "rape clause" in a Holyrood debate yesterday.

To cut the welfare bill, the UK Government has capped child tax credit to two children per family, except in special circumstances, such as a subsequent child being born from rape.

To qualify for more money, mothers must name such children and discuss their case with health care professionals or others.

Speaking in the debate, Cunninghame South MSP Ruth Maguire said: "The two cap policy is inherently wrong, grotesquely out of touch with most people’s experience of life, and misguidedly punitive.

"Its stated rationale is to create a situation where ‘people on benefits have to make the same choices as those supporting themselves solely through work’.

"What they mean by this is that people on benefits should not have more children – as they can’t afford the ones they already have."

"And that’s before we even get to the rape clause – the most detestable part of a generally loathsome policy.

"Despite the Tories’ best efforts to convince both themselves and us otherwise, there can be no doubt that forcing women to choose between emotional trauma or impoverishment is abhorrent, not 'awkward' Presiding officer, shamefully abhorrent.

"Ruth Davidson and The Tories are seeking to defend the indefensible.

"The Scottish Tories claim the rape clause is the most sensitive way to administer the exemption.

"In reality, there is no sensitive way to force a woman to prove that she has been raped in order to feed her family."

In her speech, Tory leader Ruth Davidson said she wanted to put the cap and the rape clause in context.

She said: “We all know that the UK continues to spend more than it can afford borrowing to the tune of £69 billion last year.” 

“It is the view of members on these benches that, in order to restore public finances, we must eliminate that deficit and then reduce the debt mountain that we as a country have allowed to build up over a period of years. Otherwise, future generations will have to pay our debts.”

If you or someone close to you needs help and support, call the Rape Crisis helpline on 08088 010302 (6pm to midnight) or email support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk.