Recommendation 9

It would have been helpful if the Government had explained why it does not consider that the finality of tribunal decisions and decisions made by the Secretary of State will operate to prevent individuals who have already had claims refused from accessing bereavement benefits once the Remedial Order comes into effect. Such an explanation would have provided reassurance that the rejection of our recommendation will not leave otherwise eligible claimants without access to Widowed Parents Allowance or higher rate Bereavement Support Payments, perpetuating the discriminatory treatment the draft Remedial Order is designed to remedy. We recommend that the Government publishes its reasoning as soon as possible.