Question
Asked by
To ask Her Majesty's Government in each of the past 10 years, how many women became widows; how many men became widowers; how many requests to Government were made by widows and widowers for financial support; how much was spent by Government on support to widows and widowers; and what were the ages at which the women were widowed. [HL1110]
The information requested is not available.
However, data are available on the number of bereavement benefit claims from May 2002 to May 2008, broken down by gender and age group.
Gender of claimant Total Female Male May-02 41,490 25,840 15,660 May-03 47,680 30,750 16,930 May-04 51,180 34,330 16,840 May-05 55,240 37,640 17,600 May-06 57,660 39,690 17,970 May-07 58,540 40,770 17,770 May-08 59,850 42,040 17,820
Source: DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.
Notes:
1. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 10; some additional disclosure control has also been applied.
2. Average amounts are shown as pounds per week and rounded to the nearest penny. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
3. Time Series: bereavement benefit was introduced in April 2001. Figures are available from May 2002 onwards.
Bereavement benefit claims from May 2002 to May 2008 by age
Unknown age 18-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 May-00 170 110 910 3,550 8,220 May-01 150 110 800 3,170 7,790 May-02 160 60 520 2,330 6,420 May-03 90 30 340 1,670 5,070 May-04 20 20 190 1,150 3,910 May-05 10 - 110 780 2,910 May-06 10 - 60 520 2,120 May-07 20 - 40 320 1,530 May-08 - - 20 200 1,080
Total 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 May-00 265,110 13,400 26,020 65,210 117,160 30,370 May-01 254,970 12,690 24,610 62,620 113,680 29,340 May-02 223,410 10,790 20,050 50,220 103,370 29,470 May-03 191,500 9,060 16,300 40,640 90,860 27,440 May-04 163,430 7,500 13,220 33,330 77,650 26,430 May-05 138,960 6,090 10,950 26,920 66,850 24,340 May-06 117,650 4,910 9,060 21,830 57,330 21,800 May-07 96,890 3,930 7,580 17,690 45,780 20,010 May-08 77,900 3,040 6,260 14,420 36,860 16,010