§ Mr. Bowdenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the number of United Kingdom taxpayers in each year from 1983 to 1990 on stated assumptions of unemployment;
(2) if he will estimate the likely number of taxpayers aged(a)50 to 60 years,(b)60 to 65 years,(c)65 to 75 years and(d)over 75 years in the years 1982 to 1990.
§ Mr. Ridleyin 1982–83 it is estimated that about 25¾ million individuals will be liable to income tax. Of these nearly 3 million will be over 65 years of age. More detailed breakdowns by age are not available. The numbers of taxpayers in future years will depend largely on the relationship between income tax thresholds and incomes. The taxation of benefits paid to the unemployed means that the number of taxpayers will, in future, be less sensitive to changes in levels of unemployment than in the past.