SNP Westminster leader accuses Sarwar of attempt to ‘con’ voters on benefit cap

Sir Keir Starmer did not commit to scrapping the controversial policy if his party won the next election.

The SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn criticised Labour’s stance (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (PA Wire)

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has accused Labour’s leader in Scotland of trying to “con” people into thinking he opposes the two child benefit cap.

Anas Sarwar said on Monday that Scottish Labour continued to oppose the cap, which blocks applicants from claiming Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit for a third child – while an exemption described as the “rape clause” by campaigners exists to allow claims if a third child can be proven to have been conceived through rape.

Mr Sarwar’s comments came after UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told the BBC he would not commit to scrapping the cap if his party won the next election, despite pressure from charities, political parties to his left and some within Labour.

Speaking on Monday, Mr Sarwar said: “Scottish Labour policy has not changed. We continue to oppose the two-child limit.

“We continue to believe that it exacerbates poverty, and we continue to believe that it needs to change.”

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr Flynn said: “Anas Sarwar appears to be rubbing some Brasso on his neck this morning, because he is trying to con the people of Scotland into believing he is against the policy when just yesterday on the television he was saying he backs Keir Starmer’s position.”

Mr Sarwar told STV News that Labour policy ahead of the next election would have to conform to “the fiscal rules” and the party would not “make unfunded spending commitments this side of an election”.

The SNP’s Westminster leader added: “The reality is that London Labour have given a diktat to the Scottish Labour leader that he needs to support their ridiculous and heinous position in relation to this policy and Anas Sarwar has followed suit.”

We've not changed that position and we remain completely opposed to the two child benefit cap because we know it damages families, we know it exacerbates poverty

Jackie Baillie

Asked if he is not taking Mr Sarwar at his word over his commitment to stand against the policy, the Aberdeen South MP said there was a “big difference” between campaigning against something and getting rid of it while in power.

Speaking later on the same programme, Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said the party “have a very clear position on this”.

“We’ve not changed that position and we remain completely opposed to the two child benefit cap because we know it damages families, we know it exacerbates poverty.”

The deputy leader added: “My understanding of what Keir Starmer was saying is that they are worried about the financial mess we will inherit from the Tories.”

She added that she would do “everything in my power” to encourage the UK Labour Party to scrap the policy if elected.