§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the yearly cost of providing(a) spouse additions and (b) survivors benefits to the dependants of national insurance contributors when the benefit paid is dependent on (a) male contribution records and (b) female contribution records.
§ Mrs. Gillian Shephard[holding answer 24 May 1990]: The estimated cost in 1988–89 on male contribution records of providing (a) spouse additions is £800 million; and (b) survivors benefits is £5.1 billion. On female contribution records the respective figures are £4 million and £5 million.
Note: The figures for survivors benefits do not include graduated pension inherited from a late spouse or basic retirement pension paid to certain widows. These could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Source: Government Actuary's Department.