Vernon Coaker MP, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary, has welcomed the decision to address an anomaly which meant that a small number of War Widows and Widowers were not receiving their pension entitlement:

“Labour has pressed the Government to address this anomaly and we are glad it has now been resolved.

"The spouses and partners of our Armed Forces personnel make enormous sacrifices to support their loved ones to carry out their duties as they serve our country. 

"We all have a duty to ensure widows, widowers and surviving civil partners of Armed Forces are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, and this news will be welcomed by the 4,000 widows who will now rightly be able to keep their pension for life.”