§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many bereavement payments were made to(a) widows and (b) widowers in 2001–02; and what the total cost was; [69195]
(2) what his estimate is of the take-up and cost of widowed fathers who have claimed the new widowed parents allowance over the last 12 months; [69199]
(3) what the estimated costs were in 2001–02 of the new system of bereavement benefits under the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999, broken down by gains or losses to (a) widowers, (b) widows and (c) those without dependent children. [69200]
§ Mr. Malcolm WicksInformation on the number of Bereavement Payments awarded in 2001–02 is not available. The estimated outtum of expenditure on bereavement benefits in 2001–02 was £1,100 million. Estimates of take-up of bereavement benefits and of the expenditure for widowed fathers are not available.
1560WThe available information on the estimated additional expenditure following the introduction of bereavement benefits is in the table. Widows in receipt of Widows Benefits prior to 9 April 2001 were not affected by the changes, consequently they continue to receive full benefit so long as they meet the conditions of entitlement. The estimate here takes account of the expected fall in the number of women so entitled.
Estimated additional expenditure following the introduction of Bereavement Benefits in 2001–02 £ Bereavement Payments Widows 35 Widowers 35 Widowed Parents Allowance Widows 01 Widowers 65 Bereavement Allowance Widows -52 Widowers 15 Source:
Based on data supplied by the Government Actuaries Department.
1There is no change for widows as the Widowed Parents Allowance simply replaces the old Widowed Mother's Allowance.
2Unlike the old widow's pension, the allowance is only paid for a year and does not attract an additional pension.
3Costs are given in millions of pounds and rounded to the nearest £5 million.
4Estimated costs do not take account of income-related benefits.