§ Mr. Joel Barnettasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated total debt owing to the Inland Revenue, at the latest date for which information is available, in respect of "pay as you earn" and national insurance contributions due from employers; how many months' payments this represents; and if he will provide the same information with regard to the position 12 months earlier.
§ Sir Geoffrey Howe[pursuant to his reply, 27 February 1980]: Figures are not available in precisely the form requested.
The amount of PAYE tax and national insurance contributions for the year to 5 April 1980 is estimated at £28,800 million. The amounts outstanding on 25 January 1980, the latest date for which information is available, from employers whose monthly payments exceed £2,000 was £241 million. This represents between three and four days' tax and contributions.
The corresponding figures for the previous year are: outstanding at 25 January 1979 £210 million; total due for the year to 5 April 1979 £26,559 million; between three and four days. The majority of the tax and contributions outstanding on 25 January 1979 and 25 January 1980 were amounts due for payment six days earlier and related to one month only.