In the House of Commons last Monday I rose and asked a question of the Minister for Defence about an unfairness that exists as regards war widows pensions.
The majority of widows who lose their spouse in the military service of this country are rightly awarded a war widows pension for life. This pension continues even if the widow remarries at a later date.
However, because of the actions of previous government, this rule only applies if the widow’s spouse died fighting for this country before 1973 or after 2005. In those circumstances the widow continues to receive the pension even if they remarry.
The unfairness is that if someone’s spouse died between 1973 and 2005 they would lose their war widows pension if they decide to remarry or cohabit again in the future. I do not think this is fair.
This issue was raised with me by a constituent in Northampton and I decided to raise it at the highest levels. Last week I raised it with the Chancellor of the Exchequer as well as the Defence Minister. I will continue to lobby the Government on behalf of the estimated 4,200 people nationwide affected by this rule.