§ 13. Mr. SkinnerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the impact of taxation on different groups since 1979.
§ Sir George YoungAverage net income rose by 36 per cent., in real terms, between 1979 and 1991–92. There were increases for all economic groups and all family types.
§ Mr. SkinnerWhy does the Minister not tell us the whole story? Is not the truth that, since 1979, the richest 10 per cent. in Britain have had £50 billion cumulatively in tax cuts? Instead of attacking the nurses and teachers with paltry wage increases, and attacking pensioners, why do not the Government redistribute that money to ensure that pensioners, the national health service, the social services and local government have the right finances to offset the cuts?
§ Sir George YoungPerhaps the hon. Gentleman would like to ask his right hon. and hon. Friends on the Front Bench why the Labour party tabled an amendment to the Finance Bill to give—for the first time—tax relief to exactly the sort of people about whom he is complaining, on the bills which they pay for tax planning.