PUBLIC SECTOR PENSIONS FOR UNMARRIED PARTNERS

Early day motion 1135, tabled 16 April 2002 by James Purnell (Labour). Signed by 202 members.

That this House welcomes the provision in the new Civil Service Pension Scheme for long-term survivor benefits for a financially inter-dependent partner and provisions in Members' pension schemes for the same; further welcomes the reviews undertaken by other public service pensions schemes to include unmarried partners; but notes that none has yet made any such provisions; further notes that over 85 per cent. of private schemes provide for unmarried partners; recognises that the proportion of unmarried couples in the United Kingdom is increasing; believes that it is an issue of basic fairness and protection that unmarried couples should receive the same benefits as marred couples should one partner die; and calls on the Government to ensure public sector pension schemes are amended accordingly to provide for long-term survivor benefits for financially-interdependent partners whether married or not.

Signatures by party: Labour 151, Liberal Democrat 26, Labour/Co-operative 11, Conservative 6, Plaid Cymru 4, Scottish National Party 2, Independent 1, UUP 1.