Supreme Court ruling on unmarried benefits could open 'floodgate'

Adam Saville
clock • 4 min read

'Landmark' decision to overturn government's refusal of bereavement payment to Siobhan McLaughlin will have 'significant implications' for advisers

This morning we reported that the UK Supreme Court has voted, with a majority of four to one, in favour of an unmarried women and mother of four in Northern Ireland, who was denied both bereavement payment and widowed parent allowance following the death of her partner. A culmination of many months of campaigning, the decision to award Ms. Siobhan McLaughlin a lump sum of £2000 and £118 a week child support set a legal precedent for the rights of cohabiting couples, a decision which has been welcomed by members of the life insurance industry. "Congratulations to Ms McLaughlin, her leg...

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