HC Deb 08 November 1983 vol 48 c79W
Sir Brandon Rhys Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the number and percentages of widows (a) aged over 40 years but below retirement age and in receipt of widows pension and (b) in receipt of widowed mothers allowance, who are in paid work.

Mr. Newton

The latest available figures — based upon the 1982 family expenditure survey — are as follows:

Total number of widows Numbers working Percentage of total
Widows in receipt of widowed mother's allowance with an increase for a dependent child 81,000 42,000 52
*Other widows aged under 60 with national insurance widows' benefits 280,000 160,000 57
* Includes widows without children receiving the personal rate of widowed mother's allowance.