§ Mr. Corrieasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the population pay tax who have an income of up to £15,000 in 1985–86; and what was the percentage in 1978–79.
§ Mr. Pikeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what percentage of the population with an income of up to £15,000 will pay income tax as a result of the 1986 Budget; and what percentage paid tax on the same figure in real terms in 1978–79;
(2) what percentage of the population paid income tax with an income of up to £15.,000 in 1978–79; and what percentage pay tax on the same figure in real terms now.
§ Mr. Moore[pursuant to his reply, 21 April 1986, c. 38]: Estimates are shown. For each pair of income ranges the levels of income are the same in real terms, using the RPI. The analysis is in terms of tax units, that is counting married couples as one and combining their incomes. The bases for the percentages are the numbers of adult single people and married couples with incomes for income tax purposes below the specified levels in the respective years.
Year Incomes up to: £ Per cent. paying tax (i) 1978–79 8,010 72 1985–86 15,000 62 (ii) 1978–79 7,740 71 1986–87 15,000 51 (iii) 1978–79 15,000 74 1986–87 29,080 65