§ 12. Mr. Durantasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what meetings he has held with widows' organisations in his Budget preparation.
§ Mr. Denzil DaviesMy right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary met a deputation from the National Association of Widows and the All-Party Group on Widows and One-Parent Families on 22nd February.
§ Mr. DurantIs the hon. Gentleman aware that that visit has become almost an annual pilgrimage? Is he further aware of the bitterness felt by working widows when comparing their take-home pay and tax with those of working married women? Will he do something about it in the Budget? Will he consider, for example, relieving tax on widows' pensions or some small earned income relief, which is another proposal put by the widows?
§ Mr. DaviesI am aware that certain classes of widow in particular, especially those who do not receive an age allowance because they are under 65 and those who do not get additional personal allowance, suffer as a result of taxation. But it is not true to say that they are taxed in a different way from working wives. The take-home pay may be different for various reasons, but the tax rate at the end of the day is the same.