BACKDATED BENEFITS FOR WIDOWERS

Early day motion 796, tabled 4 February 2002 by Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 56 members.

That this House notes the long-standing injustice whereby widowers have been denied benefits and tax allowances that are available to widows; notes that the Government chose to settle out of court in a recent case in order to avoid creating a precedent for other widowers; and calls on the Government to recognise that the families affected have already suffered enough and to actively identify and compensate widowers who may have missed out on benefits and tax allowances that would have been available to widows in the same circumstances.

Signatures by party: Labour 22, Liberal Democrat 20, Labour/Co-operative 4, UUP 3, DUP 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 2, Conservative 1.