Recommendation 14

We welcome the Government’s acceptance of our recommendation that it should carry out an effective publicity campaign, to ensure that those who become entitled to Widowed Parent’s Allowance or higher rate Bereavement Support Payment as a result of the Remedial Order are aware of this. We recommend that recipients are also carefully reminded that tax liabilities will arise. We recommend that recipients are also carefully reminded that tax liabilities will arise. Furthermore, the Government should compare the numbers of potentially eligible individuals who make claims for Widowed Parent’s Allowance and higher rate Bereavement Support Payment against projected figures. Should it appear that the opportunity to claim is not being taken up in adequate numbers, the Government should take further active steps to reach those individuals and ensure that the discriminatory effect of the current scheme is effectively remedied. (Paragraph 74) 26 Draft Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 20222Second Report