HC Deb 05 March 1981 vol 1000 c173W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update the reply given to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, Official Report, 6 March 1980, showing the percentage of income tax paid by taxpayers with earnings less than the average male manual earnings and those with less than half the overall male manual earnings in 1979–80; and what is the estimated percentage for 1980–81.

Mr. Peter Rees

[pursuant to his reply, 27 February 1981, c. 444]: The information, based on projections from the 1978–79 survey of personal incomes, is as follows:

Percentage of total income tax paid by taxpayers with incomes below:
Average male manual earnings Half average male manual earnings
1979–80 (provisional) 25 3
1980–81 (provisional) 27 4

The earnings figures above are the annual equivalents of estimates of the average weekly earnings of full-time adult male manual workers whose earnings are not affected by absence. Earnings over a year could be affected by spells of sickness, unemployment, and so on.

The figures for income tax relate to tax units, combining the incomes of husbands and wives. Nontaxable income, such as child benefits, is excluded.

Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North on 19 January 1977, Official Report, c. 237, how much income tax was paid by persons earning (a) under £5,000, (b) £7,500, (c) £10,000 and (d) over £10,000 in the latest year for which figures are available.

Mr. Peter Rees

[pursuant to his reply, 27 February 1981, c. 446]: Estimates of tax by range of earnings are not readily available. However, information is available by range of total income, on a basis similar to that requested in my hon. Friend's earlier question. Estimates for tax accruing in a full year at 1980–81 income levels are as follows:

Range of total income£ Income tax £ million
Under 5,000 4,050
5,000–7,499 6,410
7,500–9,999 5,800
10,000 and over 11,210

Total income is for tax units, combining the income of husbands and wives. Non-taxable income, such as child benefit, is excluded. Figures are no longer compiled on the basis of total net income, the basis used in the earlier answer.