Bereavement Benefit (Public Consultation)

Monday 12th December 2011 Written Statements

[The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Steve Webb)]

One of the key tasks that the Government have faced over the past year and a half has been to fundamentally reassess the role the welfare system should play in the 21st century.

We recognise that spousal bereavement is a life-changing event. Emotionally, socially, economically, bereaved people face the task of re-establishing themselves and adjusting to their new circumstances. We know that this journey varies considerably according to personal circumstance, with people drawing on a wide range of support mechanisms to get them through. Bereavement benefits form an important part of the state safety net at this time.

But these benefits have fallen outside the recent reviews of the wider welfare system. Indeed, they have rarely undergone any kind of critical scrutiny to establish whether they provide effective support after the loss of a spouse or civil partner.

To address this we are today publishing a consultation paper on the future of bereavement benefits. We are seeking views on how in the future these payments should support those of working age who suffer the loss of a husband, wife or civil partner. We are aware we need to strike a balance between providing appropriate support at a critical time, while encouraging those of working age to support themselves and their families through employment when they feel able to do so.

Payments made under the war pensions scheme or armed forces compensation scheme will not be affected by this review. The review will not impact those already in receipt of bereavement benefits at the point at which a new scheme is introduced.

A copy of the document will be available in the Vote Office later today.

Further details will be available on the Department for Work and Pensions website at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations/2011/bereavement-benefit.shtml.