§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will assess the advantages and disadvantages to the social security system of recognising gay relationships. [87348]
§ Angela EagleIn the contributory benefits system, all rights to contributory benefits derived from another person's contributions are based on the concept of a legal marriage.
In income-related benefits, a couple is treated as a single unit, and benefit is calculated on the basis of the couple's combined needs and resources. A couple means either a married couple, or a man and a woman who are living together as husband and wife. In this country, current legislation permits a contract of marriage between members of the opposite sex only. Income-related benefits rules, which define an unmarried couple as comprising a man and a woman, follow this principle.
Currently, we have no plans to carry out an assessment of the Social Security system as proposed. However, we do keep the system under review and aim to build a modern Social Security system which reflects today's changed society.
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