§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements are being made to ensure that widows who have lost bereavement tax credit receive comparable benefits. [79750]
§ Angela EagleNo one who already has the Widow's Bereavement Tax allowance will lose it. Anyone who claims the allowance before 5 April 2000 will receive it in the normal way—for the tax year they claim and the following year.
In the future, widows and widowers who are under pension age will be able to claim the new bereavement benefits, which will include the Bereavement Payment—a tax free lump sum of £2,000 payable to widows and widowers. This is double the amount of the current lump sum, Widow's Payment.