§ Mr. RendelTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many widows bereaved in each of the five years after 5 April 2000 he estimates will no longer be able to claim widow's bereavement allowance; and what total amount they will lose in relation to previous entitlement as a result; [79438]
(2) what estimate he has made of the savings to be achieved as a result of the abolition of the widow's bereavement allowance. [79437]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 30 March 1999]: It is estimated that around 220,000 widows claim the widow's bereavement allowance each year, in respect of a bereavement in that or the previous year. In 1999–2000, the allowance is £1,970, given at the rate of 10 per cent., but only three quarters of claimants–170,000—have sufficient income to use the allowance. The full year revenue effects of withdrawing the allowance is estimated to be £30 million in 2001–02. Separate estimates are not available for subsequent years.