HC Deb 16 November 1982 vol 32 cc94-5W
Mr. Squire

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update for 1982–83 the figures for average real weekly net incomes provided in his reply of 7 July to the hon. Member for Beaconsfield (Mr. Smith) Official Report, c. 111–14.

Mr. Ridley

The information—including revisions to 1981–82—expressed at November 1979 prices is as follows:

Real weekly net income at November 1979 prices
Single Married Married with one child Married with two children Married with four children
(a) (b) (c) (d) (f)
£ £ £ £ £
1981–82
½ Average Earnings 37.60 41.10 45.00 48.90 56.60
¾ Average Earnings 53.40 56.80 60.70 64.60 72.30
Average Earnings 69.10 72.60 76.40 80.30 88.00
1½ Average Earnings 100.50 104.00 107.80 111.70 119.50
2x Average Earnings 134.30 138.90 142.70 146.60 154.40
1982–83
½ Earnings 38.10 41.80 45.80 49.80 57.80
¾ Average Earnings 53.80 57.50 61.50 65.50 73.50
Average Earnings 69.50 73.30 77.30 81.30 89.30
1½ Average Earnings 101.00 104.70 108.70 112.70 120.70
2x Average Earnings 136.00 140.10 144.10 148.10 156.10

Net income equals earnings plus child benefit—where appropriate—less income tax and national insurance contributions, assuming that the contributor is not contracted out of the earnings related State pension scheme. Real net income has been calculated with reference to movements in the general index of retail prices—all items.

Average earnings are for full-time adult male manual workers. Figures for 1981–82 are based on averages of monthly estimates derived from New Earnings Survey data and a centred three-month moving average of the average earnings index—whole economy. Figures for 1982–83 assume, for illustration, growth in earnings of 9 per cent. and in retail prices by 7¼ per cent., between 1981–82 and 1982–83.