§ Mrs. Ann TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women in receipt of a widow's pension have had their income entitlement reassessed in the last six months because of miscalculations by his Department relating to the former husband having contracted out of his state pension arrangements. [12117]
§ Mr. HealdThis is a matter for Peter Mathison, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mrs. Ann Taylor dated 26 January 1996
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many women in receipt of a Widows Pension (WP) have had their income entitlement reassessed in the last six months because of miscalculations by his Department relating to the former husband having contracted out of his state pension arrangements.All new awards of WP from October 1995 have been assessed correctly following a change to the computer system. The Benefits Agency is in the process of examining all WP cases that existed prior to October 1995. Until this exercise has been completed figures will not be available. Completion is due by the end of March 1996.