The last Government made changes in 2015 to improve survivor benefits for widows, widowers and civil partners of police officers who die as a result of an injury on duty, strengthening the financial support available to eligible survivors under the scheme’s rules.
Separately, a court judgment in 2023 considered how the existing rules apply where a surviving partner remarries or enters into a new cohabiting relationship. The court upheld the current interpretation of the scheme rules. I recognise this was disappointing for those affected.
Official estimates have suggested that fully extending benefits, including reinstating pensions already surrendered, would increase scheme liabilities to around £198 million.
The Government confirmed in 2025 that the 1987 Police Pension Scheme is now a closed scheme and that there are no current plans to make further changes to benefits accrued within it. Ministers have also stated that retrospective changes would create additional costs for the scheme and ultimately for taxpayers and serving officers.
In light of this, I do not believe the Government is likely to support this change, and I do not think it would be appropriate to back the campaign.