HC Deb 12 November 1976 vol 919 cc287-90W
Mr. Newton

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the same form as the table he gave in the Official Report for 5th August 1976, Written Answers, columns 997–8, comparable information on the gross income, tax payable, residual net income and real purchasing power of (a) a single man on adult male manual average weekly earnings, (b) a single man on twice adult male manual average weekly earings, (c) a single man on three times adult male

Year Income Tax payable Residual net income Real purchasing power*
£ £ £ £
(a) Single man on average earnings† 1973–74 38.1 8.00 30.10 30.10
1974–75 43.6 10.42 33.18 28.81
1975–76 55.7 14.95 40.75 29.08
1976–77 65.1 17.84 47.26 28.37
(b) Single man on twice average earnings 1973–74 76.2 19.43 56.77 56.77
1974–75 87.2 24.81 62.39 54.17
1975–76 111.4 35.15 76.25 54.42
1976–77 130.2 42.13 88.07 52.86
(c) Single man on three times average earnings 1973–74 114.3 31.53 82.77 82.77
1974–75 130.8 42.11 88.69 77.01
1975–76 167.1 63.14 103.96 74.19
1976–77 195.3 76.97 118.33 71.02
(d) Retired couple—total income equal to half average earnings‡ 1973–74 19.05 — 19.05 19.05
1974–75 21.8 — 21.80 18.93
1975–76 27.85 0.16 27.69 19.76
1976–77 32.55 0.93 31.62 18.98
(e) Retired couple—total income equal to average earnings 1973–74 38.1 6.96 31.14 31.14
1974–75 43.6 8.90 34.70 30.13
1975–76 55.7 10.64 45.06 32.16
1976–77 65.1 14.51 50.59 30.36
(f) Retired couple—total income equal to twice average earnings 1973–74 76.2 22.29 53.91 53.91
1974–75 87.2 29.31 57.89 50.27
1975–76 111.4 41.86 69.54 49.63
1976–77 130.2 50.46 79.74 47.86
(g) Retired couple—total income equal to three times average earnings 1973–74 114.3 39.76 74.54 74.54
1974–75 130.8 52.52 78.28 67.97
1975–76 167.1 77.50 89.60 63.94
1976–77 195.3 94.05 101.25 60.77
* Based on annual increases in the general index of retail prices from April 1973.
† Average earnings have been taken as the New Earnings Survey estimates of the average weekly earnings of full-time adult male manual workers at April of each year.
‡ The figures for the retired couple take account of the total amount of NIRP receivable during each income tax year, including, for the year 1976–77, the increases already announced to come into effect from 15th November.

manual average weekly earnings, (d) a retired couple aged over 65 years in receipt of the national insurance retirement pension plus investment income equal to half adult male manual average weekly earnings, (e) a retired couple aged over 65 years in receipt of the national insurance retirement pension plus investment income equal to adult male manual average weekly earnings, (f) a retired couple aged over 65 years in receipt of the national insurance retirement pension plus investment income equal to twice adult male manual average weekly earnings and, (g) a retired couple aged over 65 years in receipt of the national insurance retirement pension plus investment income equal to three times adult male manual average weekly earnings.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

The figures are as follows:

Mr. Grieve

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what income is now necessary to give a married man with two children the equivalent purchasing power after tax of an income in 1974 of £1,000 a year, £2,000 a year, £3,000 a year, £5,000 a year, £7,000 a year and £10,000 a year, respectively, on the basis that (a) the whole income is earned, (b) the whole of the income is from investments and (c) half the income is earned and half is from investments;

(2) what income is now necessary to give a married man with two children the equivalent purchasing power after tax of an income in 1970 of £1,000 a year, £2,000 a year, £3,000 a year, £5,000 a year, £7,000 a year and £10,000 a year, respectively, on the basis that (a) the whole income is earned, (b) the whole of the income is from investments and (c) half the income is earned and half is from investments;

(3) what income is now necessary to give a married man with two children the equivalent purchasing power after tax of an income in 1939 of £1,000 a year, £2,000 a year, £3,000 a year, £5,000 a year £7,000 a year and £10,000 a year, respectively, on the basis that (a) the whole income is earned, (b) the whole of the income is from investments and (c) half the income is earned and half from investments;

(4) what income is now necessary to give a married man with two children the equivalent purchasing power after tax of an income in 1964 of £1,000 a year, £2,000 a year, £3,000 a year, £5,000 a year, £7,000 a year and £10,000 a year, respectively, on the basis that (a) the whole income is earned, (b) the whole of the income is from investments and (c) half the income is earned and half from investments;

(5) what income is now necessary to give a married man with two children the equivalent purchasing power after tax of an income in 1951 of £1,000 a year, £2,000 a year, £3,000 a year, £5,000 a year, £7,000 a year and £10,000 a year, respectively, on the basis that (a) the whole income is earned, (b) the whole of the income is from investments and (c) half the income is earned and half from investments;

(6) what income is now necessary to give a married man with two children the equivalent purchasing power after tax of an income in 1945 of £1,000 a year, £2,000 a year, £3,000 a year, £5,000 a year, £7,000 a year and £10,000 a year, respectively, on the basis that (a) the whole income is earned, (b) the whole of the income is from investments and (c) half the income is earned and half from investments.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

I will let the hon. and learned Member have a reply as soon as possible.