HC Deb 03 March 1978 vol 945 cc427-8W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates the value of the social wage is to a family of two adults and two children under 11 years with an income close to the national average for the most recent date for which figures are available; and how this compares with the amount he pays in direct and indirect taxes.

Mr. Joel Barnett

It is not possible to allocate all the components of public expenditure which benefit individuals to particular types of households both because of conceptual problems and because of lack of data. Those items that can be allocated include cash benefits, housing and food subsidies and current expenditure on the education and health services. An analysis of their impact on different household types is published annually inEconomic Trends. The next article will be published in the February 1978 issue of Economic Trends within the next week and will show that in 1976 households of two adults and two children under 16—under 11 is not available—with original income close to the national average of £3,780, received allocable benefits of £1,000 and paid direct and indirect taxes of £1,430.