HC Deb 17 July 1990 vol 176 cc493-4W
Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost of repealing those parts of the overlapping benefits regulations which prevent the payment of other benefits to widows receiving(a) a widowed mother's allowance and (b) a widow's pension; and what would be the cost if the repeal were limited to the payment to widows of sickness, invalidity and unemployment benefit.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

[holding answer 2 July 1990]: The cost in relation to widowed mother's allowance is estimated to be approximately £4.3 million and in relation to widow's pension £63.7 million. Were the repeal to be limited to payment of sickness, invalidity and unemployment benefit, the cost in relation to widowed mother's allowance is estimated to be approximately £1.9 million and in relation to widow's pension £9.7 million. Note: Widow's pension is not payable beyond age 65. Widows aged 65 and over receive either a widow's retirement pension or a pension based wholly or partly on their own contributions.