On 10 September, the Home Office announced plans to waive the application fees of bereaved partners facing destitution. Stephen signed a letter urging the Government to do so on 28 May.
Photo by Danie Franco on Unsplash
Last week, the Government announced plans to waive the application fees for indefinite leave to remain for bereaved partners who meet the criteria for destitution or whose partner was a member of the armed forces.
Bereaved partners of British citizens can apply for indefinite leave to remain under the bereaved partners concession. However, they must pay £2,885 for the concession, though the application only costs the Government £491 to process. This places a significant financial burden on grieving widows and widowers.
Stephen previously lobbied the Home Office to waive the fees. He supported an Early Day Motion against the fees on 22 November 2023 and signed a letter to the Home Office against the fees on 28 May 2024.
“I am delighted that the Government has decided to waive the bereaved partner concession fees for partners facing destitution,” Stephen said. “These fees placed an unfair and cruel burden on already destitute and grieving people.”