§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what have been the effects of the last three Budgets, taking into account both tax burdens and national insurance contributions, on a married couple with three children under 11 years and with annual gross incomes of £5,000, £10,000, £20,000 and £50,000, respectively.
§ Mr. Peter ReesI refer the hon. Member to the note on the effects of the last three Budgets which was prepared recently for the Select Committee on the Treasury and which is now published. The note shows the effects on real net income of changes in income tax, national insurance contributions and child benefit since 1978–79 on three family types at different multiples of average earnings. The effect of changes in indirect taxes is given also for families at average earnings.
A comparison of families at constant multiples of average earnings over the period is more meaningful than a comparison at constant money income levels.