Campaign reaches Parliament
The debate will begin at 6 p.m., with Irene Campbell leading it on behalf of the Petitions Committee. The committee set the date on October 13.
Among those welcoming the announcement is Widows' Fight campaigner Holly O'Connor, whose husband, Andy, died of an aggressive form of skin cancer in 2022 at age 43. Holly, 42, is originally from Batley and now lives in Netherton, near Huddersfield, with their daughter, April.
"We're ecstatic that it's going to be debated in Parliament and we now have a date," Holly said. "The Petitions' Committee, having decided that it should be debated, is really wonderful news."
Widows' Fight is seeking better financial support for bereaved spouses and partners. Earlier in the summer, Holly and nine-year-old April joined fellow campaigners to deliver a petition to Downing Street.
Asked what Andy would make of the campaign reaching 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." She added: "I think he'd be proud and cheering us along."
Longer support and annual increases sought
Campaigners want Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) to last until a family's youngest child turns 18, rather than ending after the current 18 monthly payments. Other bereavement payments continued until that age before the system was reformed in 2017.
They also want annual increases linked to the cost of living. BSP rates have remained unchanged since the benefit was introduced nearly 10 years ago.
The petition, "Raise Bereavement Support Payment and extend beyond 18 months," closed on July 8, 2026. Its 108,757 signatures exceeded the 100,000 needed for a petition to be considered for a parliamentary debate. It is registered as e-petition 752501.
The campaign has also brought families together in person. On Saturday, June 6, 2026, about 100 widowed parents, bereaved children, grandparents and supporters traveled from across the UK to Parliament Square to demand changes to BSP.
WAY (Widowed and Young) has sought longer payments and increases in their value for more than a decade. The charity also successfully campaigned for the 2023 extension of bereavement payments to cohabiting couples with dependent children.
Current payments and the government's response
BSP provides financial help after the death of a spouse or partner. Recipients do not pay tax on it, eligibility is not means-tested, and it can be received alongside other benefits.
The standard rate consists of £2,500 upfront and £100 a month for 18 months. At the higher rate, recipients get an initial £3,500 and 18 monthly payments of £350. Following the annual review, the proposal was to leave both rates unchanged for 2026/27.
In its February 4, 2026, response to the petition, the government said it was "not able to increase BSP at this time". It described the benefit as temporary help after a death, not an ongoing replacement for income, and pointed to means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit for longer-term support.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: "Losing a loved one is devastating and we understand the financial impact it can have on families."
The spokesperson added: "BSP provides short-term financial support, with higher amounts paid for those with children." On other assistance, the spokesperson said: "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."
Claim deadlines also affect what bereaved partners can receive. A claim usually needs to be submitted within 21 months of the death; to receive the full amount, people generally must apply within three months.
