Retirement Pensioners (Earnings Rule)

HC Deb 26 May 1978 vol 950 cc803-5W

Mrs. Wise

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the earnings at which the "earnings rule" affecting

Exchequer and in addition assuming a basic rate of income tax of 33 per cent.

Mr. Deakins

The information requested is set out in the tables below. Besides taking account of the changes mentioned, the tables also reflect the recent increases in the rates of child benefit and national insurance contributions, an increase in the value of free welfare milk and different assumptions for housing and work expenses. Other assumptions remain as in my right hon. Friend's reply on 22nd November. The lowest level of earnings quoted has been raised to £30 a week since full-time earnings below this level are now unlikely. As previously explained, the figures relate only to the particular illustrative situations quoted and have no general application and no validity if quoted out of context without stating the assumptions used.

retirement pensioners has operated in 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970 and each subsequent year, including the forthcoming change in November 1978, expressed both in actual money terms and in terms of current money equivalents.

Mr. Deakins

I will let my hon. Friend have the information as soon as possible.