HC Deb 11 January 1993 vol 216 c626W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate the number of women who have earnings below(a) the tax threshold and (b) the national insurance threshold, broken down into married women, lone parents and single women at the latest date.

Mr. McLoughlin

Broad estimates, based on the new earnings survey and estimates of the number of employees in employment, are as follows: in April 1992 there were 2.75 million women employees earning less than the PAYE threshold; of whom 2.25 million earned less than the national insurance lower earnings limit. Using the results of the family expenditure survey it is estimated that approximately 75 per cent. of each of these categories were married women, 5 per cent. lone parents and 20 per cent. single women.