Iona Young

A widow from Kirkcaldy faces choosing between selling her home or returning to full‑time work after her bereavement support payments ended 18 months after her husband’s death. She argues the current system fails grieving families, especially those with young children, and is campaigning with more than 100,000 petition signatories for extended and increased payments until a child turns 18. The UK government maintains that Bereavement Support Payment is intended as short‑term aid and says additional means‑tested benefits are available. The issue may now be considered for debate at Westminster.