HC Deb 20 July 1964 vol 699 cc13-4W
Mr. Gower

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will state the expenditure on National Insurance benefits for widows in each financial year from 1951.

allowances payable with war pensions, at the latest convenient date, compares with the October, 1951. rates.

Mr. Wood

The following table based on figures for June, 1964, gives the information:

Mr. Wood

The information is provided in the following table:

EXPENDITURE (£ MILLION)
Year Widow's benefit (1) Retirement pension paid to widows on their husband's insurance (2) Total of columns (1) and (2)
1951–52 24 82 106
1952–53 28 93 121
1953–54 31 96 127
1954–55 32 100 132
1955–56 36 122 158
1956–57 38 126 164
1957–58 44 136 180
1958–59 58 162 220
1959–60 62 164 226
1960–61 66 163 229
1961–62 80 187 267
1962–63 84 188 272
1963–64 100 216 316
1964–65 109 223 332

NOTE: Estimated expenditure is given for the last two years quoted.