National Insurance Contributions (Hansard, 30 March 1993)

§ Mr. Dewar
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish estimates for 1993–94 showing the number of self-employed men and women who pay(a) class four national insurance contributions, (b) class two contributions, (c) class three contributions, (d) no national insurance contributions, (e) the number who have profits above the upper profits limit for class four contributions and (f) the total number of self-employed.

§ Miss Widdecombe
The information requested is in the table:

million

Men Women

(a) 1.8 0.2

(b) 2.2 0.3

(c) Reliable estimates are not available

(d) nil 0.5

(e) The total number with profits above the upper profits limit is estimated to be 0.5 million, of which some 5 per cent. are women

(f) 2.25 0.75

¹ Figures in the table (a-e) have been rounded to nearest 0.1 million.

§ Mr. Dewar
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish estimates for 1992–93 and 1993–94 of the numbers of male and female employees who are on earnings below the national insurance lower earnings limit.

§ Miss Widdecombe
It is estimated that in both 1992–93 and 1993–94 there will be some 0.75 million male employees and 2.25 million females employees who earn less than the lower earnings limit.
169W

§ Mr. Dewar
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the effect on Treasury revenues in 1993–94 of(a) raising the lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions to the level of the personal tax allowance and (b) raising the upper earnings limit to £27,145.

§ Miss Widdecombe
The effect on the amount of contributions raised in respect of 1993–94 would be:

(a) -£0–4 billion

(b) +£0–6 billion

§ Mrs. Dunwoody
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total amount raised from(a) employers' and (b) employees' national insurance contributions in 1978–79; what is his estimate of the figure for 1993–94; and if he will make a statement.

§ Miss Widdecombe
The information requested is in the table.

National insurance contributions raised (£ billion)

Year³ Employees Employers

1978–79 3.7 ¹5.9

²1993–94 14.6 23.6

¹ Total excludes the national insurance surcharge.

² Source: Government Actuary's Report on the Social Security Bill 1992 (Cm. 2097).

³ Figures include the National Health Service allocation.

million
	Men	Women
(a)	1.8	0.2
(b)	2.2	0.3
(c)	Reliable estimates are not available
(d)	nil	0.5
(e)	The total number with profits above the upper profits limit is estimated to be 0.5 million, of which some 5 per cent. are women
(f)	2.25	0.75
¹ Figures in the table (a-e) have been rounded to nearest 0.1 million.

National insurance contributions raised (£ billion)
Year³	Employees	Employers
1978–79	3.7	¹5.9
²1993–94	14.6	23.6
¹ Total excludes the national insurance surcharge.
² Source: Government Actuary's Report on the Social Security Bill 1992 (Cm. 2097).
³ Figures include the National Health Service allocation.