Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

War Widow Pensions

Monday 26 June 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Minister announced a war widows ex gratia payment scheme last month.
  • A specialist team is being established to handle applications and provide advice.
  • The Minister understands the issue and is considering further actions to address tax impacts.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Julian Lewis Con New Forest East
Veterans
Context

The government announced a war widows ex gratia payment scheme last month. The question addresses the adequacy of the Department's implementation.

Question

What assessment has been made of the adequacy of the Department's implementation of the lump-sum payments for war widows who previously lost their pensions after remarrying or cohabiting with another partner?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

I was delighted to announce the war widows ex gratia payment scheme last month. A specialist team is being stood up to deal with applications and assist and advise widows when the process opens. This will ensure that people are treated with the care they deserve and that their individual needs are met. The scheme will start as soon as possible, and in any event by this autumn, and will be open for two years.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide a specific assessment of the adequacy of the implementation but confirmed that a specialist team was being set up to handle applications.

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Q2 Julian Lewis Con New Forest East
Taxation Veterans
Context

The previous question and answer addressed the implementation of a war widows ex gratia payment scheme. The current question focuses on the taxation aspect, asking whether efforts will be made to ensure that tax does not significantly reduce the lump sum.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend use his very best endeavours to avoid that unintended and unfortunate result of an otherwise successful initiative?

Answer from Andrew Murrison

I fully understand the point that my right hon. Friend is making. He will know that the payment was uplifted to take tax into account. I appreciate that it may not be taking care of all tax in many, if not most, circumstances. What I will say to him, without setting any hares running, is that I am having a conversation with colleagues, but I emphasise that it is around how we deal with tax on this payment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide a clear commitment to prevent taxation from significantly reducing the ex gratia payment, instead indicating ongoing discussions.

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