'He'd be proud' - Yorkshire widow's joy as Parliamentary debate confirmed for bereavement support
A woman whose husband died from an aggressive form of skin cancer has spoken of her joy after it was confirmed a Parliamentary debate will take place on bereavement payments next month.
Andy O’Connor died aged 43 in 2022, leaving behind his wife Holly and daughter April.
Holly, of Netherton, near Huddersfield, is part of Widows’ Fight – a group campaigning for better financial support for people who have lost their spouse or partner.
The group wants the Government to extend Bereavement Support Payments (BSP) beyond the current 18 months, and link them to the cost of living.
Earlier in the summer, Holly, nine-year-old April and other campaigners from Widows’ Fight handed in a petition to Downing Street, calling for changes to the system.
The petition received more than 100,000 signatures – and it has now been confirmed a debate on the issue will be held at Westminster Hall on November 23.
Holly, 42, said: “We’re ecstatic that it’s going to be debated in Parliament and we now have a date.
“The Petitions’ Committee, having decided that it should be debated, is really wonderful news.”
Asked how she thought Andy would feel about the campaign making it to Parliament, Holly said: “If he’d met the other ladies involved in the campaign and got to know them, then given that they are just as tenacious as I can be, I don’t think he’d be surprised that we’ve managed to push it this far.
“I think he’d be proud and cheering us along.”
BSP can be claimed by a spouse or partner after the death of a loved one and people can receive an initial payment of £3,500, followed by 18 monthly payments of £350.
The support is not means-tested, payments are not taxed and they can be paid in addition to other benefits.
Campaigners want to see BSP extended until the youngest child reaches 18-years-old, as other payments were prior to reform in 2017.
BSP payments have not risen since they were introduced nearly 10 years ago. The petition is also calling for an annual uprating.
A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said: “Losing a loved one is devastating and we understand the financial impact it can have on families
“BSP provides short-term financial support, with higher amounts paid for those with children.
“Further help with everyday living costs may be available through benefits such as Universal Credit which provide targeted, means-tested support to those in greatest need.”