HC Deb 30 October 1979 vol 972 cc498-503W
Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the national insurance contributions for women workers earning at (a) the lowest decile, (b) median, (c) highest decile and (d) three times median earnings for each year since 1970; and if he will express these data as a percentage of earnings.

FEMALES
Gross earnings (all females) National insurance contribution at non-contracted-out rate National insurance contribution at non-contracted-out rate as a percentage of gross earnings
£ £
1970—
Lowest Decile 9.70 0.79 8.1
Median 14.60 1.03 7.1
Highest Decile 24.80 1.39 5.6
3 × median 43.80 1.57 3.6
1971—
Lowest Decile 11.00 0.86 7.8
Median 16.60 1.12 6.7
Highest Decile 27.50 1.49 5.4
3 × median 49.80 1.57 3.2
1972—
Lowest Decile 12.20 0.90 7.4
Median 18.60 1.20 6.5
Highest Decile 31.10 1.76 5.7
3 × median 55.80 2.22 4.0
1973—
Lowest Decile 14.10 1.00 7.1
Median 20.90 1.30 6.2
Highest Decile 34.40 1.96 5.7
3 × median 62.70 2.60 4.1
1974—
Lowest Decile 16.80 1.10 6.5
Median 24.70 1.48 6.0
Highest Decile 39.40 2.23 5.7
3 × median 74.10 2.96 4.0
1975—
Lowest Decile 23.00 1.28 5.6
Median 34.10 1.88 5.5
3 × median 102.30 3.79 3.7
1976—
Lowest Decile 28.00 1.62 5.8
Median 42.40 2.43 5.7
Highest Decile 70.30 4.04 5.7
3 × median 127.20 5.46 4.3
1977—
Lowest Decile 32.20 1.85 5.7
Median 46.90 2.69 5.7
Highest Decile 76.10 4.38 5.8
3 × median 140.70 6.04 4.3
1978—
Lowest Decile 35.80 2.32 6.5
Median 51.80 3.36 6.5
Highest Decile 83.60 5.44 6.5
3 × median 155.40 7.80 5.0
1979—
Lowest Decile 40.60 2.65 6.5
Median 58.40 3.79 6.5
Highest Decile 92.60 6.03 6.5
3 × median 175.20 8.77 5.0
Notes:
1. Estimates of average gross weekly earnings are based on the new earnings survey conducted annually by the Department of Employment. They relate to full-time adult employees, aged 18 and over, whose pay for the survey pay period in April of each year was not affected by absence.
2. The contributions shown are those payable by an adult employed female paying class 1 contributions at the standard, not contracted-out rate. Contributions shown as payable prior to 1975 include graduated contributions at the not contracted-out rate.

Mrs. Chalker

The information on a weekly basis is shown in the following table:

Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the revenue gained by raising the ceiling on national insurance contributions (a) to equal that of the threshold for the higher rate of income tax, (b) for each £2,000 above the present ceiling and (c) abolishing the ceiling.

Mr. Prentice

The increases in national insurance contributions—including the national insurance surcharge—would be of the order of (a) £580 million, (b) £420 million, £580 million and £640 million

MALES
Gross earnings (all males) National insurance contribution at non-contracted-out rate National insurance contribution at non-contracted-out rate as a percentage of gross earnings
£ £
1970—
Lowest Decile 17.70 1.30 7.3
Median 27.00 1.62 6.0
Highest Decile 43.40 1.70 3.9
3 × median 81.00 1.70 2.1
1971—
Lowest Decile 19.70 1.36 6.9
Median 29.80 1.68 5.6
Highest Decile 43.00 1.70 3.5
3 × median 89.40 1.70 1.9
1972—
Lowest Decile 21.90 1.46 6.7
Median 33.40 1.98 5.9
Highest Decile 53.70 2.35 4.4
3 × median 100.20 2.35 2.3
1973—
Lowest Decile 25.20 1.66 6.6
Median 38.40 2.28 5.9
Highest Decile 60.90 2.73 4.5
3 × median 115.20 2.73 2.4
1974—
Lowest Decile 29.30 1.86 6.3
Median 43.80 2.56 5.8
Highest Decile 68.80 3.09 4.5
3 × median 131.40 3.09 2.4
1975—
Lowest Decile 37.50 2.08 5.5
Median 55.90 3.07 5.5
Highest Decile 88.20 3.79 4.3
3 × median 167.70 3.79 2.3
1976—
Lowest Decile 44.50 2.57 5.8
Median 65.80 3.78 5.7
Highest Decile 104.90 5.46 5.2
3 × median 197.40 5.46 2.8
1977—
Lowest Decile 49.30 2.83 5.7
Median 72.30 4.15 5.7
Highest Decile 114.00 6.04 5.3
3 × median 216.90 6.04 2.8
1978—
Lowest Decile 54.80 3.56 6.5
Median 82.00 5.35 6.5
Highest Decile 129.50 7.80 6.0
3 × median 246.00 7.80 3.2

for the first three £2,000 steps and (c) £730 million.

Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the national insurance contributions for male workers earning at (a) the current decile, (b) median, (c) highest decile and (d) three times median earnings for each year since 1970; and if he will express these data as a percentage of earnings.

Mrs. Chalker

The information on a weekly basis is shown in the following table:

Gross earnings (all males) National insurance contribution at non-contracted-out rate National insurance contribution at non-contracted-out rate as a percentage of gross earnings
£ £
1979—
Lowest Decile 61.90 4.01 6.5
Median 93.90 6.09 6.5
Highest Decile 147.30 8.77 6.0
3 × median 281.70 8.77 3.1
Notes:
1. Estimates of average gross weekly earnings are based on the new earnings survey conducted annually by the Department of Employment. They relate to full-time adult employees, aged 21 and over, whose pay for the survey pay period in April of each year was not affected by absence.
2. The contributions shown are those payable by an adult employed male at the contributions at the not contracted-out rate. Contributions shown as payable prior to 1975 include graduated contributions at the not contracted-out rate.