Lib Dems call for reversal of cuts to Bereavement Support Payments after being slashed by £1,000

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

The Liberal Democrats have called for a reversal of the Conservative Party’s cuts to Bereavement Support Payments at their Party’s Conference in Brighton today (16th September) as House of Commons Library research, commissioned by the Party, showed that there has been a real term fall in the Payments of 22%.

In cash terms Bereavement Support Payments have remained at the same level since their introduction since 2017/18 when they replaced the Widowed Parents Allowance. The changes resulted in a halving of its budget by the Conservative government by limiting the time you can claim to 18 months. It means that when accounting for inflation those support payments are worth a fifth (22%) less.

In terms of the one off payment for higher rate receivers of Bereavement Support Payments, they are worth £1,000 less when accounting for inflation than they were in 2017/18. And for the monthly payments over 18 months for higher rate receivers, these are worth £100 a month less in real-terms.

The Liberal Democrat motion at its conference in Brighton would reverse these cuts by the Conservative party, giving a £440 million boost to Bereavement Support Payments. The Party’s plans would use the extra funding to extend the amount of time that people receive payments for beyond the current 18 months and increase the size of the payments.

The Party said that their plans would give those who have been bereaved the support that they deserve following “heartless” cuts by the previous Conservative government.

Lib Dem Leader Ed Davey has campaigned heavily on the issue, previously challenging then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson about the length of these payments in his first PMQ as Leader of the Liberal Democrats in January 2020, and in 2022, he successfully pressured the Government to ensure cohabiting couples are eligible for the Bereavement Support Payment. Previously only married couples or those in civil partnerships were eligible.

Liberal Democrat Leader, Ed Davey said:

“There is no tougher pain than that of losing a parent or partner. I lost both of my parents when I was young, so I understand deeply the need for proper support to be in place to get people through those most difficult times.

“The Conservative Party left those going through bereavement without the support that they need and deserve. Their heartless cuts made it harder for families who were going through this loss.

“I am proud that our Party has made fixing these injustices a centrepiece of our Conference this year and we hope that the new Labour government listens to our ideas so that people who lose loved ones can get the dignity and support they deserve.”

ENDS