§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement about the criteria upon which welfare benefits are withdrawn from a woman on grounds of cohabitation, and in particular on the importance that is attached to any financial arrangements between the couple.
§ Sir K. JosephA woman is not entitled to widow's benefit or, normally, to supplementary benefit if she is living with a man as his wife. In determining whether a couple are living as man and wife regard is had to all the circumstances of the case. Since the receipt of benefit by the woman makes it less necessary for her to look to the man for financial support, their financial arrangements while she is receiving benefit may not be a decisive consideration.