§ 31. Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security pursuant to his oral answer of 29 January 2001,Official Report, column 1, what the value is of bereavement benefit anticipated to be paid out; and what conveniently available figures he has for the likely number of recipients. [150515]
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§ Angela EagleThe information available is in the table.
Estimated expenditure on bereavement benefits 2001–02 Gross expenditure (£ million) Number of recipients (Thousand) Average amount of weekly benefit (£ per week) Lump-sum bereavement payment 110 60 — Widowed parents allowance 340 60 100 Bereavement allowance 40 20 50 Total 490 180 — 1 Due to overlaps between the numbers receiving lump sum bereavement payment and those receiving weekly benefits, the total number of recipients counts numbers of weekly benefit recipients only. Notes:
1. Figures estimated by the Government Actuary's Department and are consistent with the latest pre-Budget report. Estimates are in cash terms.
2. Expenditure estimates are rounded to the nearest £10 million; recipient numbers to the nearest 10,000: and average amounts to the nearest £10. Figures may not sum due to rounding.
3. Income-related benefit effects are excluded. Figures do not therefore represent changes in overall benefit expenditure due to the reforms to widow's bereavement benefits, nor do the average amounts represent average changes in weekly incomes.
4. No explicit assumptions are made about levels of take-up.
5. For the lump sum bereavement payment it is assumed that a certain proportion of payments in early 2001–02 continue to attract a payment of £1,000 as the deaths occurred in the previous financial year.
6. Figures do not include women who receive Widow's Pension under the current rules.