§ Mr. Hicksasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish details in the Official Report of the various types of widows' pensions and state the number of persons eligible and in receipt of a widow's pension in each group, the weekly amount paid and the total annual cost to public funds of each category, the circumstances in which and at what level of income the earnings rule applies, and any other conditions that are imposed in respect of these pension groups.
§ Mr. DeakinsThe information is set out in the table below.
Widows' benefits are unaffected by earnings.
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Benefit Conditions Number in payment November 1976 standard rate Annual cost £ million Notes Widow's allowance Widow under 60 at death of husband; or husband was not receiving retirement pension at date of death. Payable for first 26 weeks of widowhood. 80,000 £21.40 54 Earnings-related addition based on late husband's earnings may also be payable. Widowed mother's allowance Widow with at least one child under 19 living with her. 129,000 £15.30 142 Reduced rates payable if late husband's contribution record was deficient. "Late husband" refers to the last husband if the widow has been married more than once. Widow's pension (age related) Widow aged between 40–49 at death of husband or when entitlement to widowed mother's allowance ceased. 107,800 Sliding scale £4.59 (widows aged 40) to £14.23 (widows aged 49) 57 Widow's pension Widow aged 50 or over at death of husband or when entitlement to widowed mother's allowance ceased. 271,800 £15.30 197 War widow's pension Husband's death due to or hastened by service in Her Majesty's Forces. 88,000 £19.80 91 Industrial death benefit Husband's death resulted from industrial accident or disease. 31,000 £21.40 (a) 25 (a) Temporary rate for 26 weeks: earnings related addition may also be payable based on late husband's earnings if widow would have qualified for widow's allowance. £15.85 (b) £4.59 (c) (b) Higher permanent rate. (c) Lower permanent rate.