§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what change in gross domestic product will have taken place between 1975 and the first half of 1978 in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, Japan, France, Germany and Italy, respectively.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonIt is not customary to give economic forecasts for other countries. Forecasts for growth in the United Kingdom's GDP from the first half of 1977 to the first half of 1978 were published in the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1977–78. The main forecast implies an increase of 3.6 per
National Insurance Contributions Earnings Income Tax (a)Flat Rate (b) Graduated Take-home Pay £ £ £ £ £ December 1974: At December 1974 prices … 58.4 11.36 0.75 2.72 43.57 At April 1977 prices … 90.1 17.52 1.16 4.20 67.22 April 1977 … 79.6 16.17 4.58 58.85 The figures have been calculated on the same basis as those given in reply to the hon. Member's previous Questions on 16th December 1976—[Vol. 922, c. 785–6]—and 4th May 1977—[Vol. 931, c. 184–5]—except that the average earnings figure and the price index now relate to April 1977.
The figures for April 1977 assume full implementation of the Budget proposals and take account of the fall in child tax allowances due to the introduction of child benefits.