HL Deb 21 March 1979 vol 399 cc1257-8WA
Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the estimated amount of revenue for the year 1977–78 from the investment surcharge levied upon persons under 65 and over 65 respectively at (i) the lower rate and (ii) the higher of surcharge and in what manner this additional imposition is expected to encourage saving for retirement.

Lord McCLUSKEY

At 1977–78 income levels the estimated yield from investment income surcharge was about £270 million. The approximate allocation of this yield is a s follows:—

Persons aged under 65 Yield (£m) Persons aged 65 or over Yield (£m)
At lower rate (10%) 15 15
At higher rate (15%) 125 115
140 130

The main tax reliefs to encourage saving for retirement are given at the time when savings are being made from earnings. The surcharge threshold for the elderly is set at a higher level than that for those under 65 in recognition of the fact that the underlying capital may represent the savings from a lifetime's work.