BEREAVEMENT DAMAGES CAP

Early day motion 931, tabled 8 February 2018 by Keith Vaz (Labour). Signed by 15 members.

That this House recognises the current disparity in bereavement compensation in England and Wales in comparison to Northern Ireland and Scotland; notes that the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 allows payment of only a fixed sum for bereavement damages of £12,980 which can be claimed by only the spouse or civil partner of the deceased and the parents of unmarried children under the age of 18; and calls on the Government to amend the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 to provide a new, fairer way of providing damages to bereaved families in England and Wales, echoing the approach taken in Scotland since the mid-1970s.

Signatures by party: Labour 9, DUP 3, Independent 1, Labour/Co-operative 1, Scottish National Party 1.