HC Deb 03 December 1979 vol 975 cc75-6W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost in terms of lost revenue if tax thresholds, after taking into account the value of child benefits where appropriate, were restored to their 1949–50 ratio with average male manual earnings; and what would be the value of income tax thresholds for each of a single person, a married couple and couples with each of one, two, three and four dependent children.

Mr. Peter Rees

The cost would be about £9,200 million at 1979–80 income levels. The following table shows the tax thresholds—including child benefit—and the derived personal allowances for the taxpayers specified:

Tax threshold Personal allowance
£ £
Single person 2,024 2,024
Married couple 3,227 3,227
with one child under 11 4,437 4,229
with two children aged 12 and 8 5,554 5,138
with three children aged 14, 12, and 8 6,649 6,025
with four children aged 16, 14, 12 and 8 7,761 6,929

Tax thresholds have been calculated as set out in the Official Report of 27 July 1979, Vol. 971, c. 556–58.