Widows of RUC officers killed before November 1982 are to receive lump sum payments to compensate for their loss, the British government said today.
|
|
Dr John Reid
|
Under the plans, announced by Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid, each widow will receive £2,000 for every year they have been widowed to date or up to remarriage.
The average payment for those who have not remarried will be £50,000 tax free.
Dr Reid also confirmed, after a meeting with RUC widows and Northern Ireland First Minister Mr David Trimble at Stormont, a new foundation will be established commemorating the RUC.
The RUC George Cross Foundation will assume responsibility for the plans for a garden of remembrance to police officers killed during the Troubles, a new RUC museum and the provision of educational bursaries.
Dr Reid said: "Today's two announcements demonstrate our commitment to the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the Patten Report, and to honour the achievements of the RUC."
The announcements were welcomed by Mr Trimble who had campaigned for greater compensation for the widows.
He said: "Obviously there is a financial aspect to this but the most important thing to them [widows] is that they haven't been forgotten and the sacrifice that was made is remembered and honoured and respected."
He paid tribute to the widows and claimed they had made the most effective representation on behalf of their cause.
Mr Trimble also welcomed the British government's decision to double the recommended sum of the Steele Report, which suggested widows should receive £1,000 per year.
The total cost of the lump sum payments, to be made over the next few days, will be £4.2m.
PA