§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the numbers of individuals who will lose entitlement under his changes to widows benefits and the numbers who as a result will claim means-tested assistance. [72190]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 22 February 1999]: Precise estimates of this kind are not available. The estimates that follow give our best estimate of the numbers who might be affected but are subject to a wide range of uncertainty. They are based on survey data and the circumstances of those present in the survey may differ from those affected by the policy change. Estimates are rounded to the nearest 10,000.