SERPS FOR WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS AFTER 6 APRIL 2000

Early day motion 567, tabled 20 April 1999 by Edward O'Hara (Labour). Signed by 88 members.

That this House notes that from 6th April 2000, the amount of SERPS inherited by a spouse is cut from 100 per cent. to 50 per cent.; welcomes the decision of the Parliamentary Ombudsman on 29th March 1999 to investigate claims that from 1986 to 1999 the DSS was mis-advising people about their widows/widowers' entitlement to SERPS after 6th April 2000; and calls on the Government to make its position clear at the earliest opportunity as to whether or not the change will be delayed from April 2000 to a later date or withdrawn completely, and as to whether and how any compensation will be paid to those affected by incorrect verbal or written advice given by the DSS.

Signatures by party: Labour 60, Liberal Democrat 16, Labour/Co-operative 5, UUP 4, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1.