Letter : Bill for war widows

From Mr Alf Morris, MP, and others

Sir: On 21 February, Lord Freyberg will move amendments to the Pensions Bill highlighting the plight of our war and service widows. As the 50th anniversary of VE Day approaches, we wish to add our collective voice to his efforts on behalf of this most deserving group.

It cannot be right, for instance, that war widows lose their pension entitlements if they remarry or are found to be cohabiting. Service widows who married after their partner had left the force receive no occupational pension at all unless their partner retired after 1978. Also, the block date of 1973 for the introduction of half-rate pensions leaves many service widows surviving on a third rate. A survey of pension rights in 14 countries, conducted by the Officers' Pensions Society, found service widows in the UK to be substantially disadvantaged.

It is high time we came to the assistance of those who remain. If a country can be judged by the way it deals with its elderly, how will we be judged for failing to care for those among them who helped save this nation in her darkest hour?

Yours faithfully,

ALF MORRIS

MP for Manchester Wythenshawe (Lab)

LAURENCE NEW

General Secretary, Officers' Pensions Society

JOHN MAYO

Director General, Help the Aged

IRENE BLOOR

Chairman, War Widows' Association of Great Britain

Help the Aged

London, EC1

16 February