HC Deb 13 June 1974 vol 874 cc1814-5
15. Mr. McCrindle

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from women's organisations on the tax allowances of widows.

27. Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further proposals he has for an improvement in the position of tax allowance for widows.

Dr. Gilbert

My right hon. Friend and I have received a number of representations on this point, and I am meeting a deputation from the National Association of Widows later this month.

Mr. McCrindle

Has any consideration been given to extending to widows, and perhaps even to divorced women, a tax allowance at the same rate as that enjoyed by a married man rather than that of a single woman, which is the prevailing situation? Will the Minister bear in mind that these women often have to go on meeting the same financial and family burdens after the loss of a husband for one reason or another?

Dr. Gilbert

Again, I am sure there is common ground between both sides of the House on the need to do everything possible to help widows, particularly those with young families. I am sure the hon. Member recognises that women who are unfortunate enough to be in such a position will have their single person's allowance increased by £30 this year. They will also benefit by the increase in the child allowance by £40 for each child. A point to which the hon. Member did not allude is that the widow's pension will go up by a record amount and that those having care of children will attract an additional personal allowance.

Mr. Huckfield

Does my hon. Friend accept that many of these widows, as the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. McCrindle) pointed out, have to bear all the financial burdens of being a house owner and all the family burdens of their late husbands but that they do not have anything like the same income? Notwithstanding some of the proposals which I understand may be emanating from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services, does not my hon. Friend think we now have an opportunity to take a much more comprehensive look at this?

Dr. Gilbert

I take my hon. Friend's point that there are certain unavoidable expenses attached to the running of a household, however modest it may be and regardless of whether it is run by a single individual or a married couple. It is for that reason that the single person's allowance has for a long time been much more that half of the married person's allowance.

Mr. Rost

It not slightly dishonest for the Financial Secretary to claim that personal allowances have been increasing and will therefore help widows when the increases are less than the rate of inflation and household costs, particularly as a result of the Budget, have been increased substantially?

Dr. Gilbert

I merely remind the hon. Member that the widow's pension has been increased by a record amount and that we have taken steps outside the Budget in terms of food subsidies to try to hold down the basic cost of living for those who are least well off.