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To: THE DEFENCE MINISTER; THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WORK AND PENSIONS

DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WAR WIDOWS/ THE WRONG TIME TO DIE!

Reinstate the War Widows Pension for those widows / widowers, whose partners died between April 1973 and April 2005, who have had their pensions withdrawn because they remarried. This should take place from April 2015, in conjunction with the government's changes to the Forces Pensions Schemes recently announced.

Why is this important?

Some war widows/widowers will still be disadvantaged and discriminated against even after changes to the scheme being introduced from April 2015.
It has been widely reported that all widows/widowers would receive a war widows pension for life, even after remarriage, as a result of these changes which were to reflect the governments commitment to the Forces Covenant.
This is not the case. Widows/widowers of service personnel, who paid the ultimate sacrifice between April 1973 and April 2005 and later remarried, had their pensions withdrawn and these will NOT be reinstated.
This is simply unfair, unjust and not in the true spirit of the Forces Covenant. Discrimination like this should not be tolerated in a democratic society.
After all, these service personnel gave their lives to uphold the principles we hold dear of justice and democracy.
We should honour their memory and right this wrong.
Please sign this petition, share on Facebook and if you feel strongly email your MP.

How it will be delivered

Deliver in person

United Kingdom

Maps © Stamen; Data © OSM and contributors, ODbL

Category

Updates

2016-04-23 13:25:29 +0100

Our cause continues to remain in the news, we are grateful to have the support of Greg Mulholland MP. Please read this latest article which explains more clearly how unjustly war widows have been treated by the very people who purport to support them. Thank you for your continued support.
http://www.ilkleygazette.co.uk/news/14430831.War_widows_pension_policy_branded_a_mess_by_Otley_s_MP/

2015-11-07 13:37:41 +0000

Prime Ministers Questions , Wednesday 4th November 2015 - This is such an encouraging statement made by the Prime Minister, he indicates he will 'take another look' . It is now more important than ever to let the government know we are waiting and how much this means to War Widow(er)s who have been left behind. Please email your MPs with this information and ask for their help.

2015-11-07 13:32:12 +0000

Prime Ministers Questions:-Angus Robertson MP asked:-
"However, is the Prime Minister aware that many, many service widows continue to be deprived of their forces pensions if there is a change in their personal circumstances? Does he agree that that is a clear breach of the spirit of the military covenant, and what will he do to rectify that wrong?"
The Prime Minister replied:-
" I think that it was last year that we made a big change at around the time of Armistice day to ensure that many people who had remarried were able to get their pensions. That was a very big step forward, which was welcomed by the British Legion. If there are further steps that we need to take, I am very happy to look at them and see what can be done. I also remember that, in the last Budget, we looked at the case of police widows, and we tried to put right their situation as well."

2015-03-11 13:53:38 +0000

1,000 signatures reached

2015-01-08 02:16:33 +0000

500 signatures reached

2014-12-31 10:48:27 +0000

To help promote our campaign I have opened a Facebook community page, DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WAR WIDOW/ERS 2015 - that will give us all an opportunity to have a voice. This will strengthen our presence so that those who have made this decision will see the value in rethinking their action.
Thank you so much, wishing you all a very happy and successful New Year.
Please keep in touch via the new Facebook site. x

Here is the link to our Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Discrimination-Against-War-Widowers-2015/1532655120347201?fref=ts

2014-12-11 14:46:30 +0000

Thank you to each and everyone of you for signing our petition. I read every comment and your support is truly overwhelming. All widow/ers who now find ourselves in this devastating position, are grieving yet again. Our husbands/wives gave so much, so young, and we cannot standby while the government chooses to forget this.
If at all possible, could any of our supporters ask their friends or families to sign. We need the government to know how much our country supports the Armed Forces and their families.

2014-12-07 23:43:00 +0000

Hi everyone,
I have just discovered that the Northern Ireland Assembly has shown great compassion and reinstated, retrospectively, withdrawn widows pensions for members of the RUC. Our government should now act with the same compassion and treat all widows equally. This would truly demonstrate that the Forces Covenant is a living document and not empty rhetoric.

2014-11-25 21:45:48 +0000

100 signatures reached

2014-11-24 18:54:47 +0000

50 signatures reached

2014-11-24 15:44:04 +0000

25 signatures reached

2014-11-13 16:36:59 +0000

10 signatures reached