HC Deb 13 June 1978 vol 951 cc489-90W
Mr. MacGregor

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will estimate the cost in 1978–79 of a 25 per cent. increase in the main personal income tax allowances; how much of that cost relates to (a) the married allowance, (b) the single person's allowance, (c) the married age allowance, (d) the single age allowance and (e) the allowance for wife's earned income; and if he will estimate how many persons are estimated to be in each category in 1978–79.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

The cost at 1978–79 income levels after taking account of the changes proposed in the Budget Statement is about £2,600 million, allocated approximately as follows:

Cost Estimated number of taxpayers in 1978–79
£ million Million
(a) Married allowance 1,475 11.4
(b) Single person's allowance 620 7.4
(c) Married age allowance 100 1.0
(d) Single age allowance 90 1.2
(e) Wife's earned income allowance 330 4.7

Mr. MacGregor

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will estimate the cost in 1978–79 of a 50 per cent. increase in the main personal income tax allowances; and how much of that cost relates to (a) the married allowance, (b) the single persons' allowance, (c) the married age allowance, (d) the single age allowance (e) the allowance for wife's earned income.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

The cost at 1978–79 income levels, after taking into account the changes proposed in the Budget Statement, is about £5,000 million allocated approximately as follows:—

£m
a. Married allowance 2,850
b. Single person's allowance 1,200
c. Married age allowance 175
d. Single age allowance 155
e. Wife's earned income allowance 620