§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many taxpayers were paying tax at the standard rate in 1976–77; and how many will be paying tax at the standard rate in 1977 before the Budget changes take effect and after they do so.
§ Mr. Robert Sheldon, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 6th May 1977], gave the following information:
The estimated numbers of taxpayers paying income tax at the basic rate are:
Year Millions 1976–77 … 21.0 1977–78 before Budget changes … 21.5 1977–78 after Budget changes … 20.9 A married couple is counted as one taxpayer.
§ Mrs. Wiseasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many taxpayers will gain from his proposed raising of the levels of income over which tax is chargeable at more than the standard rate.
§ Mr. Robert Sheldon, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 9th May 1977], gave the following information
About 1.8 million.