STEVE Brine, the Winchester MP and right-hand man to Britain’s police minister, has welcomed reform to police widows pensions.

People who lose their serving partners will now continue to receive widowed pension provision even if they remarry or live with a new partner.

Mr Brine, parliamentary private secretary to Police Minister Mike Penning, took the issue to the Commons after contact from a constituent who lost her husband on active service.

The changes, announced in this month’s Budget, also apply to the widows, widowers and civil partners of firefighters in England.

"I am thrilled at the news, and a big thank you to George Osborne for taking this step,” Steve Brine said. “When I raised it with him he really understood the cause and promised to put it right if he could.”