§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his best estimate of the savings made by(a) treating cohabitees as a couple for the purpose of claiming benefit and (b) refusing spouse additions to cohabitees' benefits on the basis that they can be paid only to legally married couples; and what proportion of the savings accrue from national insurance and noncontributory benefits.
§ Mrs. Gillian Shephard[holding answer 25 June 1990]: Current statistical information does not permit us to make such an estimate other than in relation to widow's benefit. In the 12-month period ending 31 March 1990 widows benefit was disqualified on grounds of co-habitation in 2,313 cases. Resulting benefit savings for the same period are estimated to be approximately £1.9 million. All the estimated savings accrue from contributory benefits.
The best estimate of the savings arising from non-payment of spouse additions of benefits where a couple are not legally married is £4.3 million per annum; 0.6 per cent. of the estimated savings accrue from non-contributory, non-income related benefits and the rest relate to national insurance benefits.