§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much it is estimated would have been paid out in 1989–90 in widows' benefits had the age limit for widows' pension not been raised from 40 to 45 years and the threshold for abatement not been raised from 50 to 55 years.
§ Mr. Peter Lloyd[holding answer 22 February 1989]: I regret that information is not available in the form requested. The latest estimate of the amount of benefit that would have been paid out in widows' benefits in 1989–90 had the age bands for widow's pension not been changed is £965 million. This includes the extra expenditure arising from the changes announced on 28 February at columns 161–62 that women widowed. before 11 April 1988 will have their entitlement to widows' benefits determined on the pre-reforms legislation.