Rates and Income Tax

HC Deb 14 May 1964 vol 695 cc114-5W

Sir T. Beamish

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many domestic ratepayers there are; and how many people pay Income Tax.

Mr. Green

The number of domestic ratepayers is not known but the number of domestic hereditaments valued for rating in England and Wales at 1st April, 1963, was 14½ million and the estimated number of taxpayers for 1963–64 was about 19½ million counting earning wives as separate persons.

Sir T. Beamish

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the average relief to the domestic ratepayer if the Exchequer contribution to the rates was increased by £100 million; and by how much the standard rate of Income Tax would have to be increased.

Mr. Green

If the Exchequer contribution to the rates was increased by £100 million, the average relief to a household would be about £3 a year. To raise this additional sum from Income Tax would require an increase of 3½d. on the standard rate with proportionate increases on the reduced rates.