Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what consideration has he given to the potential merits of replacing the 18-month limit on Bereavement Support Payment with a tapered withdrawal of support for families with dependent children.

Bereavement Support Payment was designed to provide financial support during the immediate period following a bereavement, rather than replace income over the longer term. We continue to keep Bereavement Support Payment under review to ensure it remains effective and sustainable within current budgetary constraints.