‘A grotesque indignity to women’: Rachel Reeves scraps dehumanising rape clause

Politics
26 Nov 2025 • 11:30 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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Rachel Reeves hit out at the “grotesque” rape clause tied to the two-child cap policy during her Budget speech.

Speaking to the Commons on Wednesday (26 November), the Chancellor slammed the policy, which means a parent or carer has to prove a child was conceived non-consensually to receive a benefit.

“I will not tolerate the grotesque indignity to women of the rape clause any longer. It is dehumanising. It is cruel,” she said.

She said she would remove the two-child benefit cap from April, a move that will increase the benefits for 560,000 families by an average of £5,310, the OBR has calculated.