RUC widows awaitpension pay due to ‘technical issues’

RUC widows whose pensions were restored by the will of the Northern Ireland Assembly in July still aren’t receiving their due income as a result of unresolved technical issues between the Treasury and the Department of Finance.
By Kevin Mullan
Published 5th Sep 2014, 16:56 BST

Justice Minister David Ford said he has written to the Finance Minister Simon Hamilton seeking to address the issues urgently.

He said he understands Mr Hamilton is engaging with the Treasury on the matter but he is still awaiting a substantive response.

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TUV MLA Jim Allister asked the Minister of Justice to “outline the reasons for the delay in making payments to police widows who have had their entitlement to widow’s pension restored, with effect from July 1, 2014.”

Mr Ford replied: “I remain keen to give effect to the will of the Assembly that, under Section 30 of the Public Service Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2014, police widows remarrying after January 1, 1989 should retain, or have reinstated, their pensions.

“However, there are a number of technical issues that need to be resolved with the Department of Finance and Personnel and with HM Treasury before I can give approval for payments to commence.”

Related topics:Simon HamiltonJim Allister