§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families with children are estimated to have taxable incomes below the income tax threshold; and what proportion this represents of all families with children.
§ Mr. Normon Lamont[holding answer 17 December 1987]: In 1987–88 it is estimated that some 1.6 million
872Wto the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher), Official Report, 5 May, columns 325–8, for the following income groups: top 50 per cent. and bottom 50 per cent.
§ Mr. Norman Lamont[holding answer 17 December 1987]: Estimates are given in the table for the upper 50 per cent and lower 50 per cent. of tax-paying single people and married couples analysed by total income liable to tax. The table shows the reduction in income tax liabilities, in a full year at 1987–88 income levels, under the 1987–88 income tax regime compared with the 1978–79 regime indexed to 1987–88 levels by reference to statutory formula.
with the 1978–79 indexed regime, specifying in each case the total and average reduction per taxpayer as well as the number of taxpayers in each year.
§ Mr. Norman Lamont[holding answer 17 December 1987]: The information requested is given in the table:
families, about 23 per cent. of the total number of families with children, have taxable incomes below the income tax threshold.