§ Mr. Newtonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the revenue cost in 1977–78, assuming full implementation of the Budget proposals (a) of raising the single allowance to £832, £860, £900 and £1,160, respectively; (b) of 85W raising the married allowance to £1,248, £1,270, £1,350 and £1,510, respectively; (c) of raising single age allowance to £1,105, £1,160 and £1,210, respectively; (d) of raising the married age allowance to £1,716, £1,760, £1,790 and £1,905, respectively, and (e) of raising the limit contained in Section 8(1B) of the Taxes Act to £3,330, £3,750 and £4,000. respectively.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonI will let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
(a) Main Personal Allowances 1947–48 1957–58 1967–68 1976–77 £ £ £ £ Single person's allowance … … 137 192 283 735 Married person's allowance … … 221 321 437 1,085 Single age exemption/allowance … … — 250 401 1,010 Married age exemption/allowance … … — 400 643 1,555
(b) Main Personal Allowances at April 1977 prices 1947–48 1957–58 1967–c68 1976–77 £ £ £ £ Single person's allowance … … 787 729 814 812 Married person's allowance … … 1,269 1,218 1,257 1,198 Single age exemption/allowance … … — 949 1,153 1,115 Married age exemption/allowance … … — 1,518 1,849 1,717 The values of the personal allowances have been adjusted to take account where appropriate of the effect of earned income relief and of the relief given for employees' national insurance contributions.
The figures given for 1957–58 and 1967–68 in respect of elderly persons are the income limits below which full age exemption was granted to elderly taxpayers. There was no comparable allowance in 1947–48. The figures for 1976–77 are the age allowances.
The price indices used in conjunction with the index for April 1977, is as follows: (i) for the two earlier years the index is for the calendar year as given in table 2 of the Central Statistical Office publication "The Internal Purchasing Power of the Pound". (ii) for the two later years the index is the average general Index of Retail Prices for the financial year.