Guernsey deputy backed on pensions fight

A Guernsey deputy has won support for his campaign to get a review of widows' pensions.

Fourteen deputies have signed Deputy Barry Paint's requete, or proposal, which he hopes will be debated in June.

Prior to 2004, a widow would receive a pension until the age of 65, but it was changed to a bereavement allowance for just one year.

Mr Paint said the change had left some widows feeling they had no financial security.

The States said the widow's pension had been reformed because there was no similar benefit for men whose wives had died.

The 12-month bereavement allowance can be claimed by both men and women who are over the age of 45 when widowed.