§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the change in the real standard of living of a married man on the average wage with two young children, after all statutory deductions, between February 1974 and the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. Robert Sheldon,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 29 March 1979; Vol. 965, c. 348], gave the following answer:
930WBetween March 1974 and December 1978 the real net income, at December 1978 prices of a married man on average earnings with 2 children under 11 increased from £73.60 a week to £76.10 a week a gain of £2.50 a week or 3.4 per cent.
No figure of average earnings is available for February 1974. The figures are of average earnings in all occupations based on the New Earnings Survey and the assessed level in December 1978, the datest date available, has been obtained by updating the New Earnings Survey figure for April 1978 taking account of movements in a centered 3-month moving average of the whole economy index of average earnings of all employees.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average weekly amount of income tax paid by the average family in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; and what was the comparable total in 1973.
§ Mr. Robert Sheldon,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 29 March 1979; Vol. 965, c. 355], gave the following answer:
The figures are as follows:
These figures relate to a married man with 2 children under 11 with average earnings. In the same period earnings have increased by 111 per cent.
Tax £ 1973–74 7.28 1978–79 (October) 19.05