§ Mr. David Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will give an estimate of the saving to the Exchequer of social security and other benefits as a result of the denial of such benefits to women living in an unmarried state with a male partner who, for the purpose of such benefits, is deemed to be supporting them.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownNo records are kept of the numbers of women who are living with men to whom they are not married. Nor is it possible to estimate how many of these women would choose to claim benefit if they were legally entitled to do so. The estimated saving in supplementary benefit arising from withdrawal of benefit from identified cases is of the order of £1 million a year. Information is not available about savings on other benefits.