Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many claims have been made under the non-consensual conception exemption for child tax credit in (a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland since 6 April 2017.

Providing support for a maximum of two children in tax credits and Universal Credit is about ensuring those who receive income related benefits face the same financial choices as those supporting themselves solely through work. The government also recognises that some claimants are not able to make the same choices about the number of children in their family and consequently has provided exceptions in certain cases, including in cases of non-consensual conception.

Statistics relating to the operation of the policy and the exceptions will be published in due course, once there are sufficient cases to enable robust analysis and the data has been quality assured.