12 November 2009 :
Parliamentary Question
Armed Forces: Social Security Benefits
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will discuss with the Chancellor of the Exchequer the provision of national insurance credits for spouses of armed forces personnel refused state benefits on the grounds that they have not paid sufficient national insurance contributions. [291977]
Jim Knight: I have been asked to reply.
The Service Command Paper The Nation's Commitment: Cross-Government Support to our Armed Forces, their Families and Veterans' (Cm 7424) published in July 2008 contained the Department's commitment to award Class 1 National Insurance Credits to spouses and civil partners of service personnel posted overseas with effect from April 2010. This will enable more members of service personnel families to qualify for Jobseeker's Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance. | 