§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the distribution of the benefit of the proposed national insurance contribution changes amongst employees ranked into deciles of earnings.
§ Mr. Peter LloydI have been asked to reply.
The Government Actuary's Department estimate that for 1990–91, the first full year for which the new contribution rates will apply, the decile of employees with the lowest earnings will gain £80 million. The second lowest decile will gain £120 million. The remaining eight deciles will each gain £325 million; a total gain for all employees of £2.8 billion.