§ Mr. HanleyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many taxpayers paid top rate tax in 1989–90; and how much revenue his Department derived from taxing this band.
§ Mr. LilleyThe latest estimate is that about 1.6 million married couples and single people were liable to tax at the higher rate in respect of 1989–90 incomes. Their income tax liability in excess of the basic rate was about £3.9 billion. This figure represents the additional tax liability resulting from the difference between the higher rate and the basic rate of tax.
Allowing for independent taxation, it is estimated that in 1990–91 about 1.7 million individuals will be liable to pay tax at the higher rate, counting husbands and wives separately, and that their income tax liability in excess of the basic rate will be £4.4 billion.