More Financial Support For Bereaved Spouses Of Service Personnel

It has been announced that childless partners of service personnel killed in action will receive an extra £2,000 lump sum in the wake of their spouse's death.

The movement to provide more support to bereaved forces partners comes after Work and Pensions Secretary, Damian Green, announced that the way in which childless widows have been treated up to this point was "not right".

He said in a speech last night:

"The old fashioned system discriminated against young spouses."

Currently, spouses without children do not receive the monthly support payments that those with children receive after losing a loved one in action unless they are over the age of 45.

But now a new system is to be implemented in April, whereby the childless wife, husband or civil partner of a member of the Armed Forces who is killed in action will receive a one-off sum of £2,500, as well as monthly payments of £100 for an 18-month period.

Those with children will receive a lump sum of £3,500, as well as 18 monthly payments of £350.

Secretary of state Damian Green told the Sun:

"Spouses are grieving for a loved one who has laid down their life serving their country.

"We must stand with them during this difficult time and we owe them a fair amount of support to get through."

Forces TV have approached the Department of Work and Pensions for a comment.

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