§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his Department's policy on the benefit position of widowers with dependent children prior to the introduction of the new system of bereavement allowances, following recent judgments in the European Court. [122107]
§ Angela EagleOur obligation, following the friendly settlement of two cases before the European Court of Human Rights, is to future widowers. Our reforms meet this obligation and go further. Widowed Parents Allowance will be available to men who were widowed before the introduction of the benefit. Existing widowed fathers who meet the entitlement conditions may receive Widowed Parent's Allowance from the date it is introduced.