§ Mr. Meacherasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, regarding a married man with two children aged seven and 10 years living in a council house, paying an average rent, and earning a gross
NET INCOME OF A MARRIED MAN WITH TWO CHILDREN AGED 7 AND 10 WITH GROSS WEEKLY EARNINGS OF £18.00 £ per week 1970 1971 1972 April October April October April October Earnings 18 18 18 18 18 18 FAM .90 .90 .90 .90 .90 .90 FIS — — — .60 1.60 1.60 NI 1.32 I .32 1.32 1.33 1.33 1.33 Tax .88 .88 .23 .23 — — Income net of tax and NI 16.70 16.70 17.35 17.94 1917 1917 Net charge for school meals .68 .68 — — — — Rent 2.17 2.17 2.20 2.20 3.00 3.50 Rates .72 .72 .76 .76 Rent and rate rebate — — — — — 205 Net income 13.13 13.13 14.39 14.98 16.17 17.72 Real net income 13.13 12.77 13.15 13.32 13.90 14.61
Notes: 1. The figures for rent and rates (including water rate) in 1970 are the average for a family of the prescribed size with an income between £10 and £20 a week; those for 1971 for a family with an income between £15 and £25 a week (the nearest range for which a figure is available). Figures for 1972 are not yet available; the figures of £3 a week and £3.50 a week for April and October are estimates, and reflect the introduction of the fair rents policy. 2. Rate and rent rebates were only available on a very modest scale until the introduction of the national scheme in October 1972, and it would be misleading to make allowance for them before that date in the table. 3. Working expenses of 60p a week are assumed throughout in determining entitlement to rent and rate rebates and free school meals. 4. Real net income represents the net income figure converted into April 1970 prices by means of the retail price index.