A long-running campaign to win pension justice for war widows has received a positive boost.
A long-running campaign to win pension justice for war widows has received a positive boost.
Welsh Labour MPs Mark Tami, David Hanson and Owen Smith have been putting pressure on Minister for Defence Veterans, Reserves and Personnel Mark Lancaster after taking up the baton from Alyn and Deeside Assembly Member Carl Sargeant.
Mr Sargeant has been campaigning since June 8, 2016, with Connah’s Quay’s Kath Webster, on the 32nd anniversary of the death of her husband Sergeant Malcolm Wigley on the Sir Galahad in the Falklands conflict.
Mrs Webster and Mr Sargeant are campaigning to restore War Widows pensions to war widows who go on to remarry or cohabit between 1973 and 2005.
In a letter received by Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami, Mr Lancaster confirms that he expects to hear back from his officials in the spring and adds a more positive tone. He writes:
“Please be assured that the Government appreciates the strength of feeling about difference in survivor benefits and will continue to consider it carefully.
“The potential options are being dealt with by the policy team that has responsibility for compensation schemes, and I expect to receive their advice in the Spring.”
Carl Sargeant said:
We’ve been fighting this campaign for Welsh war widows now for some time, as well as campaigners on the English side of the border.
A lot of people are affected by this and they will be delighted to hear that the UK Government’s approach to this appears to be softening.
It’s encouraging that they are looking into what they can do to address the injustice Kath and hundreds of spouses like her across the UK are suffering. I’m hopeful for further good news.
The campaign petition has hit almost 600 signatures to date – click here to find out more about it: https://goo.gl/xg2q8y
MP’s letter from Government Minister gives Connah’s Quay war widow ‘room for hope’
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