§ Ms. MowlamTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland are likely to lose money as a result of the raising of the age of entitlement to widow's pension from 40 to 45 years on 11 April; and how many will lose as a result of the increase in the age for reduction of widow's pension introduced in April.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 11 July 1988]: It is estimated that 40 people a year in Northern Ireland will not be entitled to widow's pension as a result of the raising of the age of entitlement from 40 to 45 from 11 April 1988. It is also estimated that 180 people a year will have a reduced rate of widow's pension as a result of the raising of the age of entitlement to the full rate from 45 to 50 from that date. All such people will be entitled to the new lump sum widow's payment of £1,000.