§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he will take to reduce the gender imbalance in pension rights.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe Government have long been committed to the principle of equal treatment in pensions. We are now actively considering how best to achieve this in the state and occupational schemes.
§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for what reasons he decided that women widowed before the age of 45 years cannot receive widows' pensions.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe changes were made in 1988 to target help where it is most needed—older widows and widows with dependent children. This is fairer and reflects the reality of the changed employment pattern of women. Widows under 45 with dependent children continue to be eligible for widowed mother's allowance and there is now 167W a widow's payment of £1,000 for all eligible women immediately on bereavement regardless of entitlement to a subsequent weekly benefit.