§ Mr. Pounderasked the Minister of Social Security (1) what is the estimated number of widows in the United Kingdom in the 40 to 50 age group who would benefit from a reduction of the age entitlement limit from 50 years to 40 years; and what would be the additional cost of providing such widows with a pension entitlement at 40;
(2) what is the estimated number of widows in the United Kingdom in the 45 to 50 age group who would benefit from a reduction of the age entitlement limit from 50 years to 45 years; and what would be the estimated additional cost of providing such widows with a pension entitlement at 45;
(3) what is the estimated number of widows in the United Kingdom under 50 years of age who would benefit from the complete abolition of the 50-year entitlement age; and what would be the estimated additional cost of providing widows 171W with a pension entitlement at any age instead of at 50 as at present;
(4) what is the current cost of providing widows with a pension entitlement at the age of 50; and how many such widows there are in the United Kingdom.
§ Miss Margaret HerbisonFollowing are the figures:
National insurance widows' benefits in the United Kingdom* Change in qualifying age: Number who would benefit† Extra cost in 1967–68 (Thousands) (£ million) (1) from 50 to 40 … 100 18 (2) from 50 to 45 … 65 12 (3) limit abolished … 120 21 The number of beneficiaries and cost of all types of national insurance widow's benefit under existing arrangements are estimated at 635,000 and £150 million respectively in the year 1967–68. * The numbers and costs for the separate insurance scheme for Northern Ireland are included. †The figures given include all widows under 60 who would become eligible for pensions on these assumptions, including those who have already passed the age of 50; and they include many who are already in receipt of the 30s. widow's basic pension.