Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to Bereavement Benefits: Proposal for implementation of the McLaughlin (2018) and Jackson (2020) judgments published on 15 July 2021, when she plans to lay before Parliament that draft remedial order.

The draft Bereavement Benefits (2021) Remedial Order, to extend Widowed Parents Allowance and the higher rate of Bereavement Support Payment to surviving cohabitees with dependent children, was laid before Parliament on 15 July 2021. This laying period concluded on 12 November 2021 and the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) also published its report on the proposals on this date.

We are now considering whether to make changes to the draft Order in light of the JCHR recommendations and other representations received during this time. Due to the complexity of the points raised and the need to give these careful consideration, we cannot say at this stage when the draft Order will be laid for its second 60-day sitting period. We are progressing this work as a priority and will continue to update the GOV.UK website at key points during the process:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bereavement-benefits-proposal-for-implementation-of-the-mclaughlin-2018-and-jackson-2020-judgments.