HC Deb 18 November 1982 vol 32 cc234-5W
Mr. Rooker

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update the table he published in reply to a question from the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) on 27 November 1981, Official Report, c. 495–8, in respect of the proportions of earnings taken by income tax and national insurance contributions.

Mr. Ridley

[pursuant to his reply, 8 November 1982, Vol. 31, c. 15]: The attached tables show, for 1981–82 and 1982–83, income tax and national insurance contributions as a percentage of gross earnings plus child benefit—where appropriate—with changes in those percentages shown in brackets in index number form, taking 1978–19= 100. The calculations assume that the taxpayer has no allowances or reliefs other than the appropriate personal allowance. National insurance contributions are at the not-contracted-out rate. For illustration, an increase of 9 per cent. has been assumed in earnings between 1981–82 and 1982–83.

(2) what has been the percentage increase in unemployment since May 1979 in (a) Wales, (b) Gwent and (c) each travel-to-work area covered by the Bedwellty constituency;

(3) how many (a) men, (b) women and (c) young people under 20 years of age have been unemployed for more than a year in (i) Wales, (ii) Gwent and (iii) each travel-to-work area covered by the Bedwellty constituency;

(4) how many unemployed school leavers there are in (a) Wales, (b) Gwent and (c) each travel-to-work area covered by the Bedwellty constituency;

(5) how many young people in (a) Wales, (b) Gwent and (c) each travel-to-work area covered by the Bedwellty constituency have never had a full-time job since leaving school;

(6) how many people are currently on each of the temporary employment measures in (a) Wales, (b) Gwent and (c) each travel-to-work area covered by the Bedwellty constituency;

(7) how many redundancies have been reported since May 1979 in (a) Wales, (b) Gwent and (c) each travel-to-work area covered by the Bedwellty constituency; and how many are pending;

(8) how many factory closures have been reported since May 1979 and how many employees have been involved in (a) Wales, (b) Gwent and (c) each travel-to-work area covered by the Bedwellty constituency;

(9) how many disabled people are (a) currently unemployed and (b) have been unemployed for more than a year in (i) Wales, (ii) Gwent and (iii) each travel-to-work area covered by the Bedwellty constituency.

Mr. Michael Roberts

The Bedwellty constituency covers parts of four travel-to-work areas. I shall write to the hon. Member.