§ Mr. LesterTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will summarise the criteria used by his Department when deciding whether a man and a woman are living together as husband and wife.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe question whether a man and a woman are living together as husband and wife is decided by the independent adjudicating authorities. The Chief Adjudication Officer has published guidance on the factors which should be considered at paragraph 15021 et seq of the "Adjudication Officer's Guide", a copy of which is in the Library. The criteria are also summarised at pages 70–71 of leaflet SB20—"A Guide to Income Support"—a 455W copy of which is also in the Library, and which is available free to the public. These rules are common to all relevant social security benefits.