§ Mr. Alan CampbellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the cost of restoring the married couple's allowance to the pre-1992 Budget level at today's prices. [96865]
§ Dawn PrimaroloIn 1991–92 the married couple's allowance for couples under 65 was £1,720 and reduced the taxpayer's taxable income. If this allowance were increased in line with inflation to 1999–2000 and still given as a deduction from income, the cost would be around £4 billion. This estimate is based on the 1997–98 survey of personal incomes, projected to 1999–2000 consistent with the March 1999 Budget forecast.