HC Deb 26 October 1994 vol 248 cc690-703W
Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of the worst-off 10 per cent. of families have(a) motor cars, (b) colour television sets, (c) telephones and (d) videos.

Mr. Burt

The information requested is in the table. The households below average income report suggests that the bottom 10 per cent. of the income distribution may not represent the "worst off' 10 per cent. For this reason information is also provided for the bottom 20 per cent.

Mr. Burt

The correspondence in relation to the seven questions asked by the hon. Lady is as follows:

Letter to the hon. Member for Bristol East from the Minister of State for Social Security and Disabled People dated 12 August 1994: You recently tabled a Parliamentary Question asking what was the average equivalent income at April 1994 prices for (a) the poorest 10 per cent. and (b) the poorest 20 per cent. from the latest households below average income analysis, before and after housing costs in 1979, 1981, 1987, 1988 to 1989, 1990–91 and 1991–92 for (i) a pensioner couple, (ii) a single pensioner, (iii) a couple with children, (iv) a couple without children, (v) a single adult with children and (vi) a single adult without children. Unfortunately at the time Alistair Burt was unable to reply and promised to write. Information for the bottom 20 per cent. is in the tables, which follows table A5 in the latest Households Below Average Income

Median equivalised household income in £ per week in April 1994 prices for the bottom 20 per cent. of each of the household family types
1979 1981 1987 1988–89 1990–91 1991–92
Before housing costs
Pensioner couple 91 95 103 103 101 107
Single pensioner 91 96 99 96 98 101
Couple with children 105 94 101 104 99 100
Couple without children 131 132 123 134 141 133
Single with children 89 92 97 97 97 99
Single without children 114 111 112 111 106 103
After housing costs
Pensioner couple 76 81 88 88 88 90
Single Pensioner 83 86 88 85 90 92
Couple with children 88 77 79 82 76 76
Couple without children 112 111 98 110 115 105
Single with children 72 76 79 74 75 76
Single without children 98 91 86 83 80 75

Letter to the hon. Member for Bristol East from the Minister of State for Social Security and Disabled People, dated 12 August 1994: You recently tabled a Parliamentary Question asking what would have been the effect on the numbers of children in households living on incomes (a) below the 1979 bottom decile median and (b) below 50 per cent. of 1979 average income, by 1991–92, using the methodology of the latest households below average income report, if child benefit had (i) remained at its 1979 level in real terms and (ii) had been increased relative to household income. Unfortunately at the time Alistair Burt was unable to reply and promised to write. I regret that information is not available. Child benefit interacts with other components of household income, such as income-related benefits, and reliable assumptions cannot be made about the net effect on income of hypothetical scenarios. A copy of this letter will be placed in the Library.

Letter to the hon. Member for Bristol East from the Minister of State for Social Security and Disabled People, dated 12 August 1994: You recently tabled a Parliamentary Question asking for an assessment of the effect of a rise in the survey response rate on the latest edition of Households Below Average Income (HBAI). You also asked for details of any research into the relationship between income and the response to Government surveys on household expenditure and income. Unfortunately at the time Alistair Burt was unable to reply and promised to write. The Family Expenditure Survey (FES) response rate has remained relatively stable over the period covered by HBAI, reaching 72 per cent. in 1992. Any rise or fall in the survey response rate is compensated for by the use of grossing factors, which ensure that household population totals in HBAI continue to reflect the whole

Numbers of children grossed to 1991–92 levels below fixed income thresholds (000s)
1979 1981 1987 1988–89 1990–91 1991–92
(a) Below 1979 Bottom Decile Median
BHC 750 1,110 590 730 900 770
AHC 790 1,170 890 950 1,210 1,060

report. Reliable information on the bottom 10 per cent. of the groups specified is not available. All estimates are subject to sampling error which may affect the validity of comparisons between groups at a point in time. Table A4 of HBAI contains an assessment of the extent of this source of uncertainty and should be used for comparisons between 1979 and the latest year. Results for singles and couples will be affected by a discontinuity from 1990 related to cohabiting; please see Appendix 10 in HBAI 1979–1990/91 for details. A copy of this letter will be placed in the Library. population of the United Kingdom. Appendix 3 of the latest HBAI report gives further information. We have no reliable information on the income characteristics of survey non-participants to enable the effect of a rise in survey participation to be addressed. I understand that a study is being made of the FES sample from January to June 1991 as compared with the 1991 Population Census. However, the Census contains no income information, and the study will not cover this area. The main results of this study are expected to be published in 1995. My Department is aware of extensive research literature on non-response bias and takes this into account in the preparation of HBAI. A copy of this letter will be placed in the Library.

Letter to the hon. Member for Bristol East from the Minister of State for Social Security and Disabled People, dated 12 August 1994: You recently tabled a Parliamentary Question asking how many children were in households living on incomes (a) below the 1979 bottom decile and (b) below 50 per cent. of 1979 average income, in 1979, 1981, 1987, 1988–89, 1990–91 and 1991–92, following tables 11.1 and 11.5 of the latest households below average income report; and what was the household income in current prices of these two cut off points for each of the years in question. Unfortunately at the time Alistair Burt was unable to reply and promised to write. The information is in the tables. Your request for numbers below the 1979 bottom decile has been interpreted as a request for numbers below the 1979 bottom decile median. Household income in current prices for each year in question has been taken to mean current prices in each year rather than today's prices. The real (1994) values of the thresholds specified have been included in the tables but these values will be the same for any of the years shown. This is because the thresholds relate to the income distribution in 1979 rather than to conditions in each year. A copy of this letter will be placed in the Library.

Numbers of children grossed to 1991–92 levels below fixed income thresholds (000s)
1979 1981 1987 1988–89 1990–91 1991–92
(b) Below 50 per cent. of 1979 Average Income
BHC 1,130 1,640 1,020 1,070 1,250 1,160
AHC 1,310 2,090 1,680 1,590 1,900 1,850

Values of thresholds in each year (January prices except where stated)
1979 1981 1987 1988–89 1990–91 1991–92 April 1994
£ £ £ £ £ £ £
(a) 1979 Bottom Decile Median
BHC 32 43 61 67 78 83 88
AHC 29 38 52 57 64 69 74
(b) 50 per cent. 1979 Average Income
BHC 35 47 67 74 86 91 97
AHC 33 43 59 64 73 78 84
  1. 1. Source: 1979, 1981, 1987 to 1992 Family Expenditure Surveys.
  2. 2. All estimates are subject to sampling error.
  3. 3. Income values denote equivalised household incomes.
  4. 4. Income for combined years is deflated to January of the later year.
  5. 5. Total numbers of children are grossed to 1991–92 levels.

Letter to the hon. Member for Bristol East from the Minister of State for Social Security and Disabled People dated 31 August 1994: You recently tabled a Parliamentary Question asking what was the change in real incomes by decile group, 1979 to 1991–92, including the self-employed, before and after housing costs, following table A1 and appendix 10 of the latest households below average income report; and what was the equivalised and unequivalised income per household in each decile group, for households with children. Unfortunately at the time Alistair Burt was unable to reply and promised to write. The information is not available in the precise form requested. Reliable estimates of changes in equivalised real incomes are not

Percentage change in real incomes of quintile medians and the mean of families with children for the period 1979–1991/92 (Percentage change)
Quintile 1 Quintile 2 Quintile 3 Quintile 4 Quintile 5 Mean
Bottom 20 per cent. 20-40 per cent. 40-60 per cent. 60-80 per cent. Top 20 per cent.
Before Housing Costs (–2) (7) 22 33 51 32
After Housing Costs (–12 (1) 20 32 49 29
Estimates in brackets () are particularly uncertain; see Appendix 5 of Households Below Average Income for details of the tests applied to estimates of changes in real incomes.

Equivalised income of families with children; quintile medians and the mean for 1979 and 1991–92, in April 1994 prices.
Quintile 1 Quintile 2 Quintile 3 Quintile 4 Quintile 5
Bottom 20 per cent. 20-40 per cent. 40-60 per cent. 60-80 per cent. Top 20 per cent. Mean
Before Housing Costs
1979 103 138 165 198 261 180
1991–92 100 148 202 263 394 238
After Housing Costs
1979 86 117 141 172 227 155
1991–92 76 118 169 226 339 200
All estimates are subject to sampling error.

available for decile groups (and so is provided in the attached tables in quintile groups). In addition, it is not possible to give unequivalised incomes for all households with children as these depend on the number and ages of children in these households. The attached tables therefore contain equivalent money values of special examples of families with children. It is important to bear in mind that the results do not track what happens to a particular set of individuals over time and are as likely to be influenced by changes in the mix of groups as changes in income levels within each group. A copy of this letter will be placed in the Library.

Equivalent Money Values for Quintile Medians and the Overall mean for Different Examples of Family Types with Children Income Before Housing Costs (Equivalent monetary values in £s per week)
Group Medians
Quintile 1 Quintile 2 Quintile 3 Quintile 4 Quintile 5
Bottom 20 per cent. 20-40 per cent. 40-60 per cent. 60-80 per cent. Top 20 per cent. Total population (mean)
1979
Couple with child aged 3 and 8 145 195 233 279 368 254
Couple with child 3, 16 and 17 202 272 325 390 515 355
Single with child aged 3 81 109 130 157 206 142
1991–92
Couple with child aged 3 and 8 141 209 285 370 556 335
Couple with child aged 3, 16 and 17 197 292 398 517 777 468
Single with child aged 3 79 117 160 208 311 188
All estimates are subject to sampling error.

Equivalent money values for quintile medians and the overall mean for different examples of family types with children Income after housing costs (equivalent monetary values in £s per week)
Group Medians
Quintile 1 Quintile 2 Quintile 3 Quintile 4 Quintile 5
Bottom 20 per cent. 20-40 per cent. 40-60 per cent. 60-80 per cent. Top 20 per cent. Total population (mean)
1979
Couple with child aged 3 and 8 122 165 199 242 321 218
Couple with child aged 3, 16 and 17 175 236 285 347 459 313
Single with child aged 3 63 85 103 125 166 113
1991–92
Couple with child aged 3 and 8 107 166 238 319 478 282
Couple with child aged 3, 16 and 17 153 238 341 458 685 405
Single with child aged 3 55 86 123 165 248 146
All estimates are subject to sampling error.

Letter to the hon. Member for Bristol East from the Minister of State for Social Security and Disabled People dated 31 August 1994: You recently tabled a Parliamentary Question asking for the mean disposable income of each of the family types, as listed in the latest households below average income report, of the lowest decile group, second lowest decile group, and highest decile group in (a) current and (b) April 1994 prices, as ranked according to this Department's convention of equivalised income in 1979, 1988–89 and 1991–92. Unfortunately at the time Alistair Burt was unable to reply and promised to write. The available estimates are provided in the tables. It is important to bear in mind that the results provided cannot be interpreted as indicating that the incomes of these groups have gone up or down over the period. Any income changes will reflect shifts of the number of people in each family type group from one decile group to another. For example, if a family type's income remains unchanged but there was a shift of that particular family type from the bottom decile into the second decile, the median income of the particular family type in the bottom decile in these tables would show a fall. Conversely, if that family type's income again remains the same, but there was a shift of that family type from the second decile into the bottom decile, the median income of that particular family type in the bottom decile in these tables would show a rise. But in both these examples the real incomes amongst that family type did not change. A copy of this letter will be place in the Library.

Median net equivalised income in each of the two lowest deciles and the top decile for each family type, 1979, 1988–89 and 1991–92 in actual prices1 and in April 1994 prices
Pensioner Couple (Equivalised £ per week)
1979 1988–89 1991–92
Actual prices (of decile median)
Bottom BHC 34 73 88
Median net equivalised income in each of the two lowest deciles and the top decile for each family type, 1979,1988–89 and 1991–92 in actual prices1 and in April 1994 prices
Pensioner Couple (Equivalised £ per week)
1979 1988–89 1991–92
AHC 30 61 72
Second BHC 40 89 112
AHC 36 71 86
Top BHC 128 416 544
AHC 123 372 471
April 1994 prices (of decile median)
Bottom BHC 92 95 93
AHC 78 79 77
Second BHC 108 116 119
AHC 93 93 93
Top BHC 351 543 578
AHC 314 485 506
1Actual prices for 1979, 1988–89 and 1991–92 refer to January 1979, January 1989 and January 1992 respectively.

Notes:

  1. 1. The estimates have been calculated by the median income of family types in each of the bottom two and top deciles of the total Households Below Average Income distribution.
  2. 2. All estimates are subject to sampling error which may affect the validity of comparisons between groups at a point in time and over time. More information about sampling errors can be found in Appendix 5 of the latest edition of 'Households Below Average Income', a copy of which is in the library.
  3. 3. For estimates of changes in real income of family types over time, see Table A4 of the latest Households Below Average Income.

Median net equivalised income in each of the two lowest deciles and the top decile for each family type, 1979,1988–89 and 1991–92 in actual prices1 and in April 1994 prices
Single Pensioner (Equivalised £ per week)
1979 1988–89 1991–92
Actual prices (of decile median)
Bottom BHC 33 71 89
AHC 31 54 61
Second BHC 40 90 111
AHC 37 76 91
Top BHC 128 407 537
AHC 131 356 485
April 1994 prices (of decile median)
Bottom BHC 91 93 95
AHC 79 70 66
Second BHC 110 118 118
AHC 93 99 98
Top BHC 351 531 570
AHC 333 465 521
1Actual prices for 1979, 1988–89 and 1991–92 refer to January 1979, January 1989 and January 1992 respectively.

Notes:

  1. 1. The estimates have been calculated by the median income of family types in each of the bottom two and top deciles of the total Households Below Average Income distribution.
  2. 2. All estimates are subject to sampling error which may affect the validity of comparisons between groups at a point in time and over time. More information about sampling errors can be found in Appendix 5 of the latest edition of 'Households Below Average Income', a copy of which is in the library.
  3. 3. For estimates of changes in real income of family types over time, see Table A4 of the latest Households Below Average Income.

Median net equivalised income in each of the two lowest deciles and the top decile for each family type, 1979, 1988–89 and 1991–92 in actual prices1 and in April 1994 prices
Couple with children (Equivalised £ per week)
1979 1988–89 1991–92
Actual prices (of decile median)
Bottom BHC 31 67 81
AHC 28 53 57
Second BHC 41 88 109
AHC 37 73 87
Top BHC 141 397 530
AHC 135 359 489
April 1994 prices (of decile median)
Bottom BHC 85 87 86
AHC 71 69 62
Second BHC 111 115 116
AHC 95 95 93
Top BHC 385 518 563
AHC 344 469 526
1Actual prices for 1979, 1988–89 and 1991–92 refer to January 1979, January 1989 and January 1992 respectively.

Notes:

  1. 1. The estimates have been calculated by the median income of family types in each of the bottom two and top deciles of the total Households Below Average Income distribution.
  2. 2. All estimates are subject to sampling error which may affect the validity of comparisons between groups at a point in time and over time. More information about sampling errors can be found in Appendix 5 of the latest edition of 'Households Below Average Income', a copy of which is in the library.
  3. 3. For estimates of changes in real income of family types over time, see Table A4 of the latest Households Below Average Income.

Median net equivalised income in each of the two lowest deciles and the top decile for each family type 1979, 1988–89 and 1991–92 in actual prices1 and in April 1994 prices
Couple without children (Equivalised £ per week)
1979 1988–89 1991–92
Actual prices (of decile median)
Bottom BHC 31 63 70
AHC 28 48 47
Second BHC 41 88 112
AHC 37 71 85
Top BHC 127 393 532
AHC 121 349 475
April 1994 prices (of decile median)
Bottom BHC 84 83 75
AHC 70 62 51
Second BHC 111 115 118
AHC 95 92 92
Top BHC 347 513 565
AHC 309 456 511
1Actual prices for 1979, 1988–89 and 1991–92 refer to January 1979, January 1989 and January 1992 respectively.

Notes:

  1. 1. The estimates have been calculated by the median income of family types in each of the bottom two and top deciles of the total Households Below Average Income distribution.
  2. 2. All estimates are subject to sampling error which may affect the validity of comparisons between groups at a point in time and over time. More information about sampling errors can be found in Appendix 5 of the latest edition of 'Households Below Average Income', a copy of which is in the library.
  3. 3. For estimates of changes in real income of family types over time, see Table A4 of the latest Households Below Average Income.

Median net equivalised income in each of the two lowest deciles and the top decile for each family type, 1979, 1988–89 and 1991–92 in actual prices1 and in April 1994 prices
Single with children (Equivalised £ per week)
1979 1988–89 1991–92
Actual prices (of decile median)
Bottom BHC 32 74 90
AHC 29 56 68
Second BHC 41 89 109
AHC 37 73 87
Top BHC 132 390 534
AHC 132 353 538
April 1994 prices (of decile median
Bottom BHC 89 96 96
AHC 73 73 73
Second BHC 112 116 116
AHC 94 95 94
Top BHC 362 509 567
AHC 338 461 579
1Actual prices for 1979, 1988–89 and 1991–92 refer to January 1979, January 1989 and January 1992 respectively.

Notes:

  1. 1. The estimates have been calculated by the median income of family types in each of the bottom two and top deciles of the total Households Below Average Income distribution.
  2. 2. All estimates are subject to sampling error which may affect the validity of comparisons between groups at a point in time and over time. More information about sampling errors can be found in Appendix 5 of the latest edition of 'Households Below Average Income', a copy of which is in the library.
  3. 3. For estimates of changes in real income of family types over time, see Table A4 of the latest Households Below Average Income.

Median net equivalised income in each of the two lowest deciles and the top decile for each family type, 1979,1988–89 and 1991–92 in actual prices1 and in April 1994 prices
Single without children (Equivalised £per week)
1979 1988–89 1991–92
Actual prices (of decile median)
Bottom BHC 29 64 76
AHC 25 49 50
Second BHC 40 89 110
AHC 37 73 87
Top BHC 129 393 518
AHC 122 351 464
April 1994 prices (of decile median)
Bottom BHC 80 83 80
AHC 65 64 54
Second BHC 110 117 117
AHC 95 96 94
Top BHC 351 513 550
AHC 312 458 499
1Actual prices for 1979, 1988–89 and 1991–92 refer to January 1979, January 1989 and January 1992 respectively.

Notes:

1. The estimates have been calculated by the median income of family types in each of the bottom two and top deciles of the total Households Below Average Income distribution.

Money values for the bottom two decile median and the overall mean for different family types in April 1994 prices, including self employed
(equivalent monetary values in £s per week)
Group medians
Decile 1 Decile 2 Decile 10 Total population
Income before Housing Costs Bottom 10 per cent. 10–20 per cent. Top 10 per cent. (mean)
1979
Single adult 54 67 218 118
Couple no children 88 110 358 193
Couple with child aged 3 104 130 422 228
Couple with child aged 16 119 150 487 263
Couple with child aged 3 and 8 124 155 505 272
Couple with child aged 3, 8 and 11 146 183 594 320
Couple with child aged 11, 16 and 17 173 217 705 380
1990–91
Single adult 53 71 345 159
Couple no children 87 116 565 261
Couple with child aged 3 102 137 667 308
Couple with child aged 16 118 158 769 355
Couple with child aged 3 and 8 122 164 797 368
Couple with child aged 3, 8 and 11 144 193 938 433
Couple with child aged 11, 16 and 17 171 229 1,114 514

Money values for the bottom two decile medians, the top decile median and the overall mean for different family types in April 1994 prices, including self employed
(equivalent monetary values in £s per week)
Group medians
Decile 1 Decile 2 Decile 10 Total population
Income before Housing Costs Bottom 10 per cent. 10–20 per cent. Top 10 per cent. (mean)
1991–92
Single adult 53 72 343 160
Couple no children 88 117 563 262
Couple with child aged 3 103 138 664 309
Couple with child aged 16 119 159 766 356
Couple with child aged 3 and 8 123 165 794 369
Couple with child aged 3, 8 and 11 145 195 934 435
Couple with child aged 11, 16 and 17 172 231 1,109 516
All estimates are subject to sampling error.

2. All estimates are subject to sampling error which may affect the validity of comparisons between groups at a point in time and over time. More information about sampling errors can be found in Appendix 5 of the latest edition of 'Households Below Average Income', a copy of which is in the library. 3. For estimates of changes in real income of family types over time, see Table A4 of the latest Households Below Average Income.

Letter to the hon. Member for Bristol East from the Minister of State for Social Security and Disabled People: 31 August 1994 You recently tabled a Parliamentary Question asking for the equivalent monetary value in £ per week at April 1994 prices, following table A2 of the latest households below average income report, in 1979, 1990–91 and 1991–92, before and after housing costs, of the decile means and medians of the two poorest decile groups and the richest decile group, and the total population mean of (a) a single adult, (b) a couple with no children, (c) a couple with one child aged three years, (d) a couple with one child aged 16 years, (e) a couple with two children aged three and eight years, (f) a couple with three children aged three, eight and 11 years and (g) a couple with three children aged 11, 16 and 17 years. Unfortunately at the time Alistair Burt was unable to reply and promised to write. The information is not available in the precise form requested. Reliable estimates of the means of decile groups are not available. The estimates provided therefore follow those in Table A2 of the latest Households Below Average Income report and therefore only show the median of each decile group. It is important to bear in mind that the results do not track what happens to a particular set of individuals and are as likely to be influenced by changes in the mix of groups as changes in income levels within each group. A copy of this letter will be placed in the Library.

Money values for the bottom two decile medians, the top decile median and the overall mean for different family types in April 1994 prices, including self employed
(equivalent monetary values in £s per week)
Group medians
Decile 1 Decile 2 Decile 10 Total population
Income After Housing Costs Bottom 10 per cent. 10-20 per cent. Top 10 per cent. (mean)
1979
Single adult 41 52 173 92
Couple no children 74 94 315 168
Couple with child aged 3 87 111 371 198
Couple with child aged 16 102 130 434 232
Couple with child aged 3 and 8 104 133 444 237
Couple with child aged 3, 8 and 11 123 157 526 281
Couple with child aged 11, 16 and 17 149 190 636 339
1990–91
Single adult 35 52 280 126
Couple no children 64 94 509 228
Couple with child aged 3 75 111 601 269
Couple with child aged 16 88 130 703 315
Couple with child aged 3 and 8 90 132 718 322
Couple with child aged 3, 8 and 11 106 157 851 381
Couple with child aged 11, 16 and 17 129 190 1,029 461

Money values for the bottom two decile medians, the top decile median and the overall mean for different family types in April 1994 prices including self employed
(equivalent monetary values in £s per week)
Group medians
Decile 1 Decile 2 Decile 10 Total population
Income After Housing Costs Bottom 10 per cent. 10-20 per cent. Top 10 per cent. (mean)
1991–92
Single adult 34 52 281 126
Couple no children 61 94 510 229
Couple with child aged 3 72 111 602 270
Couple with child aged 16 85 129 704 316
Couple with child aged 3 and 8 86 132 719 323
Couple with child aged 3, 8 and 11 102 157 852 382
Couple with child aged 11, 16 and 17 124 190 1,030 463
All estimates are subject to sampling error.

Money values for the bottom two decile medians, the top decile median and the overall mean for different family types in April 1994 prices, excluding self employed
(equivalent monetary values in £s per week)
Group medians
Income before Housing Costs Decile 1 Bottom 10 per cent. Decile 2 10–20 per cent. Decile 10 Top 10 per cent. Total population (mean)
1979
Single adult 54 67 212 117
Couple no children 89 110 348 191
Couple with child aged 3 105 130 410 226
Couple with child aged 16 120 150 473 260
Couple with child aged 3 and 8 125 156 490 270
Couple with child aged 3, 8 and 11 147 183 577 318
Couple with child aged 11, 16 and 17 175 218 685 377
1990–91
Single adult 54 71 332 156
Couple no children 89 117 544 256
Couple with child aged 3 105 138 642 302
Couple with child aged 16 121 159 740 348
Couple with child aged 3 and 8 126 165 767 361
Couple with child aged 3, 8 and 11 148 194 903 425
Couple with child aged 11, 16 and 17 176 230 1,072 505

Money values for the bottom two decile medians, the top decile median and the overall mean for different family types in April 1994 prices, excluding self employed
(equivalent monetary values in £s per week)
Group medians
Income Before Housing Costs Decile 1 Bottom 10 per cent. Decile 2 10–20 per cent. Decile 10 Top 10 per cent. Total population (mean)
1991–92
Single adult 55 72 333 157
Couple no children 89 117 545 257
Couple with child aged 3 106 139 644 303
Couple with child aged 16 122 160 742 349
Couple with child aged 3 and 8 126 166 769 362
Couple with child aged 3, 8 and 11 149 195 905 426
Couple with child aged 11, 16 and 17 176 231 1,074 506

Note:

All estimates are subject to sampling error.

Money values for the bottom two decile medians, the top decile median and the overall mean for different family types in April 1994 prices, excluding self employed
(equivalent monetary values in £s per week)
Group medians
Income After Housing Costs Decile 1 Bottom 10 per cent. Decile 2 10–20 per cent. Decile 10 Top 10 per cent. Total population (mean)
1979
Single adult 41 52 168 92
Couple no children 74 94 306 167
Couple with child aged 3 88 111 361 197
Couple with child aged 16 102 130 422 230
Couple with child aged 3 and 8 105 133 431 235
Couple with child aged 3, 8 and 11 124 158 511 278
Couple with child aged 11, 16 and 17 150 191 618 337
1990–91
Single adult 38 52 271 124
Couple no children 70 95 493 225
Couple with child aged 3 83 112 581 265
Couple with child aged 16 97 131 680 310
Couple with child aged 3 and 8 99 134 695 317
Couple with child aged 3, 8 and 11 117 159 823 375
Couple with child aged 11, 16 and 17 141 192 995 454

Money values for the bottom two decile medians, the top decile median and the overall mean for different family types in April 1994 prices, excluding self employed
(equivalent monetary values in £s per week)
Group medians
Income after Housing Costs Decile 1 Bottom 10 per cent. Decile 10–20 per cent Decile 10 Top 10 per cent Top population (mean)
1990–91
Single adult 37 52 273 1,248
Couple no children 67 95 496 225
Couple with child aged 3 80 112 586 266
Couple with child aged 16 93 131 685 311
Couple with child aged 3 and 8 95 133 700 317
Couple with child aged 3, 8 and 11 113 158 829 376
Couple with child aged 11, 16 and 17 136 191 1,003 455
All estimates are subject to sampling error.