HC Deb 25 October 1973 vol 861 cc569-70W
Mr. Thomas Cox

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of income tax paid by retired pensioners in each of the last three years, on the incomes they are in receipt of from State pension and superannuation pension.

Mr. Nott

I will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Thomas Cox

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the number of retired pensioners in receipt of State retirement pension and a firm supplementary pension, and who are paying income tax on this income.

Mr. Nott

I will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Thomas Cox

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will exclude retired pensioners whose only income is the state retirement pension and superannuation pension from income tax, in an effort to safeguard the standard of living of such pensioners, due to inflation;

(2) what plans he has to exclude retirement pensioners from paying income tax on pensions that they are in receipt of and for which they contributed during their working life.

Mr. Nott

I do not think it would be justifiable to exempt from tax all persons with only a national insurance retirement pension and a contributory occupational pension, irrespective of the amounts of their incomes. But the age exemption provisions mean that tax liability for elderly people does not start until substantially above the level of the national insurance retirement pension.

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