MP fights for police widows' pension rights

South Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has put forward a motion in parliament to fight for the pension rights of police widows and widowers, saying that out-of-date rules should not bar them from remarrying. The motion has already attracted cross-party support from almost 30 MPs.

Tim is pushing for a change to the 1987 Police Pension Regulations, under which police widows and widowers cannot remarry or cohabit without losing their pension rights. His motion calls for an urgent review of the situation to remove this rule. This would give police widows and widowers in the rest of the UK the same rights they have in Northern Ireland, and the same rights as military widows in all parts of the UK.

Tim said: "The current system is out-of-date and urgently needs to be changed. It is completely wrong that police widows and widowers face a double punishment. Having already suffered the tragedy of losing a loved one, the system then present them with a horrible choice. No one should have to choose between making ends meet and the possibility of future happiness through new love."