Mark Whitehead 23 June 2016

Campaigners hit out over lack of reform in bereavement payments

Thousands of bereaved families will suffer continuing confusion and stress because of the Government's failure to push through reforms to support payments, campaigners have warned.

They say the Government has agreed to review the period bereavement support payments are paid but refused to extend it to children of cohabiting couples.

Alison Penny, coordinator of the Childhood Bereavement Network, also accused the Government of failing to resolve complexities for the lowest-paid widowed parents on the old benefits.

She said: 'Problems with these reforms could have been swept away by the stroke of a pen on the statute book, but instead thousands of bereaved families will face ongoing confusion, stress and lack of support when they and their children need it most.

'We are dismayed that the Government has resisted cross-party recommendations to support bereaved children of cohabiting couples after their mum or dad dies.

'In doing so, the Government has ignored the campaigns of widowed parents and numerous support organisations, recommendations from the work and pensions select committee and a recent ruling in the Belfast High Court.

'Making these families eligible for bereavement benefits could have helped over 2,000 widowed parents and their children each year to get back on their feet.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Administrator

Amey
Competitive Salary
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Depot Administrator to join our Severn Bridges Inspection and Maintenance (SBIM) contract in Bristol. Bristol
Recuriter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative

Amey
Competitive Salary
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Highways Maintenance Operative to join our in Area 10– Strategic Highways account . Runcorn
Recuriter: Amey

Planner - Highways

Amey
Competitive Salary
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Planner to join our dynamic Severn Bridges Inspection and Maintenance (SBIM) team. Aust, GB, BS35 4BD
Recuriter: Amey

Assistant Gardener

Wakefield Council
£24,790.00 - £25,183.00, Grade 4, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for an Assistant Gardener Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Care Assistant x2

Wakefield Council
£13,400.00 - £13,612.43, Grade 4, 20 hours, Permanent
We are looking for two experienced Care Assistants as part of our Dovecote Lodge Care Team. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.