With the death of Pope Francis, the world loses not only a church leader but also a moral compass that spoke out against inequality, discrimination, war, and climate destruction, writes MARC VANDEPITTE

A FEW weeks ago, as shadow cabinet secretary for the eradication of poverty and inequality, I led a Scottish Labour debate in Parliament calling for an end to poverty, inequality and austerity.
During the debate, the issue of Tory welfare policy was raised along with the poverty and hardship being caused by universal credit.
The two-child limit for assistance was raised with the point being made that it breaks the link between need and benefit entitlement.
On this issue, Tory spokesperson Michelle Ballantyne MSP defended universal credit and other Tory welfare cuts and said that “it is fair that people on benefits cannot have as many children as they like while people who work and pay their way and do not claim benefits have to make decisions about the number of children they can have.”

