HC Deb 17 July 1978 vol 954 cc52-4W
Mr. Lawson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing (a) real weekly take-home pay and (b) real weekly net income of a married man with two children on average industrial earnings in January, April, July and October of every year since April 1970, expressed at July 1978 prices.

Real weekly take-home pay at May 1978 prices Real weekly net income at May 1978 prices
January April July October January April July October
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
1970 … 57.90 58.30 58.80 60.30 60.70 61.20
1971 … 58.50 59.30 59.60 59.80 60.80 61.50 61.80 62.00
1972 … 59.80 63.00 63.60 64.70 61.90 65.10 65.70 66.70
1973 … 64.80 64.90 65.50 64.90 66.80 66.90 67.40 66.70
1974 … N/A 63.70 64.60 65.60 N/A 65.40 66.20 67.10
1975 … 65.60 63.60 62.20 62.20 67.10 65.80 64.30 64.30
1976 … 61.50 62.50 62.70 61.10 63.50 64.40 64.50 62.80
1977 … 59.10 59.70 59.00 59.70 60.80 62.40 61.70 62.30
1978 … 60.30 62.40 62.90 67.00

"Take-home pay" is earnings less income tax and national insurance contributions. "Net income" is take-home pay plus family allowance for months up to January 1977 and child benefits for April 1977 and later months.

Average industrial earnings are based on the new earnings survey estimates of the average weekly earnings of full-time adult male manual workers in April of each year. For months other than April, and for April 1978 where the results of the new earnings survey are not yet available, the previous April's new earnings survey figure has been updated by the monthly index of average earnings to give an estimate for the appropriate month. The index for January 1974 was not produced owing to the three-day working week.

The prices index used is the general index of retail prices, all items, for the appropriate month. The figures have been expressed at May 1978 prices as this is the latest month for which the index is available.

For months up to and including January 1975, and for April 1978, it has been assumed that the employee is not contracted out of the graduated pension scheme. The tax rates and allowances used for April 1978 are those contained in the Finance Bill, as amended in Committee.

Mr. Lawson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update with an estimate for 1978–79, and on the basis of the latest prices index, the table provided in answer to the hon. Member for Blaby.—[Official Report, 21st March. c. 520.]

Mr. Robert Sheldon

On the assumption that neither child is over 11 year of age, the figures are as follows:

Mr. Robert Sheldon

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.