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War Widow(er)s Recognition Payment

Asked by Robin SwannUlster Unionist PartyMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 21 January 2026UIN 105497

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the closure of the War Widow(er)s Recognition Payment Scheme on 15 October 2025, what the final number of (a) applications received and (b) successful payments made was; and what his Department’s assessment is of the final uptake rate against the initial projected eligible cohort.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones

I refer the hon. Member to my previous answer recently provided to Questions 105112 and 105113.

The Scheme received 381 applications, of which 249 were approved. Since its launch, the Scheme has successfully fulfilled its intended purpose, having awarded more than £21 million and providing meaningful recognition to those who were eligible. Following an internal review and a decline in application numbers, the Scheme closed on the 15 October 2025, as originally outlined at its inception.

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