§ Mr. Coombsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the amounts and 252W relative proportions of the average net weekly incomes of a married couple with two children under 11, with the father in employment or alternatively out of work and drawing unemployment benefit, including earnings related supplement, where applicable, on the assumption that he has been in continuous employment with average earnings, in 1950, 1960, 1970 and 1972.
§ Mr. NottThe figures are as follows. Figures for 1971–72 are included as this is the latest year available.
Financial year A Net income in employment B Net income when unemployed B as a proportion of A £ p.w. £ p.w. per cent. 1950–51 7.48 2.83 37.8 1960–61 13.94 7.42 53.2 1970–71 23.19 21.74 93.7 1971–72 25.85 25.34 98.0 Notes: 1. The figures for each year are based on the published average earnings, which relate to October of that year. It has been assumed that these earnings had continued throughout the first 40 weeks of the income tax year, after which the subject became unemployed. 2. The figures in column A relate to week 40 and take account of family allowances, national insurance contributions and income tax; and in column B to week 43, this being the first week for which earnings related supplement would be due. The figures in column B include unemployment benefit and the refund of income tax to which the man is entitled which is by that time of the year running at its maximum rate.