CHILDREN being looked after by kinship carers should be exempt from the two child tax credit cap, according to the SNP.

At the party’s conference in Glasgow it called for the UK Government to respect a High Court ruling that its current policy was unlawful.

Parents can only claim tax credits for two children and any others do not qualify except under the controversial rape clause.

There are around 1000 children in Glasgow looked after by relatives under a kinship care order.

For kinship carers if a family already has two children then they become kinship carers for a third, they are exempt from the cap.

However, if the child in kinship care was taken in before the others were born, then a second biological child would be denied tax credits.

Maureen Watt, SNP MSP, said: “Often the circumstances leading to someone taking a young relative into their home are heart breaking — in cases of death, illness or family difficulties.

“It is appalling that kinship carers – who have not planned to have a larger family, but have taken on the responsibility – are being punished for providing a loving home.

“The Tories cannot be allowed to get away with pushing their obsession with austerity onto Scottish families and children.

“This cruel policy must be scrapped and the UK government must take steps to ensure families are not put off from offering a loving home as an alternative to the care system.”

The Conference also heard that retired nurses will be brought back to work in hospitals to help new staff.

Jeane Freeman, the health secretary announced the retire and return plan for 100 staff.

She said she did not want to lose the expertise of experienced staff when they retire.

Ms Freeman said: “Each year we have a number of nursing and midwifery staff, retire. Staff who have gained a lifetime of skills and knowledge and expertise.

“I don’t want to lose that experience and knowledge to our NHS.

“So, from next year, we will pilot a new programme of Experienced Practice Advisers in midwifery, health visiting, district nursing and advanced practice.

“Up to 100 of these mentors will be recruited from recently retired staff, using their very valuable skills, their knowledge, their hard won experience - to support newly qualified colleagues to reach their full potential.”