HC Deb 25 October 1973 vol 861 c569W
Mr. Deakins

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total annual gross income accruing to the top 10 per cent. and bottom 10 per cent., respectively, of the population, ranked by total income; what is the latter as a percentage of the former figure; and what were the comparable figures for five and 10 years ago.

Mr. Nott

The total income before tax of the richest 10 per cent. to the total population above school leaving age, counting married couples as one, was £9,990 million in 1970–71, the latest year for which figures are available. The available figures for earlier years relate to 1969–70, 1964–65 and 1959–60, in which the total income before tax of the richest 10 per cent. was £8,840 million, £6,640 million, and £4,780 million respectively. Information is not available with which to estimate the income of the poorest 10 per cent.