§ Mr. Maurice Macmillanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total amount collected in national insurance contributions from employees in each of the past 10 years; and what proportion this is of the amount collected from employers.
§ Mr. DeakinsThe information requested is as follows:
National Insurance contributions from employees £ million Employees' contributions as a proportion of employers' contributions Percentage 1966 690 81 1967 733 82 1968 832 81 1969 854 81 1970 1,043 84 1971 1,117 85 1972 1,345 86 1973 1,553 81 1974 1,862 70 1975 2,384 64 The figures are on a United Kingdom basis. Industrial injuries contributions are included but not national health service, Redundancy Fund and selective employment tax payments.
§ Mr. Hayhoeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the estimated percentage reduction in employers' national insurance contributions to compensate for the extra costs upon employers if they were responsible for the first month of sickness payments to their own employees.
§ Mr. DeakinsIf the National Insurance Fund did not pay sickness benefit in 485W respect of days falling within the first four weeks of periods of interruption of employment and this saving on benefit expenditure were reflected in a reduced rate of national insurance contributions for employers, the employers' rate of contribution would be reduced from 8.75 percent to about 8.45 per cent.