HC Deb 17 November 1977 vol 939 cc348-9W
47. Mr. Michael Morris

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to help war widows.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

The special position of war widows is recognised by the fact that the standard rate of war widow's pension is substantially higher than the national insurance widow's pension. Furthermore, 50 per cent. of the war widow's pension is now exempt from tax, and no war widow whose only income is her war widow's pension is liable to pay any tax. War widows with other sources of income who have some tax to pay will benefit from the increase in personal allowances proposed in my right hon. Friend's autumn Budget, as well as from the Christmas bonus and the proposed exemptions from tax, for this year only, of the pension increase payable from 14th November.