§ Mr. Fieldasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of tax units having incomes below the tax threshold for each year since 1960; and if he will distinguish between those tax units which have more than one earner.
§ Mr. RidleyThe available information is as follows:
258W
Number of tax units below the tax threshold Income tax year millions 1960–61 7.5 1961–62 7.0 1962–63 7.2 1963–64 9.6 1964–65 9.0 1965–66 8.3
Income tax year millions 1966–67 8.0 1967–68 7.8 1968–69 7.4 1969–70 7.6 1970–71 8.2 1971–72 8.5 1972–73 9.5 1973–74 8.3 1974–75 7.8 1975–76 7.4 1976–77 7.2 1977–78 8.0 1978–79 7.5 1979–80 7.6 1980–81 8.4 These figures have been calculated by deducting the estimated number of tax units—married couples or single people—paying income tax from the estimates of the total number of such units published for each year in "National Income and Expenditure". Unpublished estimates are used for 1979–80 and 1980–81. I regret that no breakdown is available for non-tax-paying units between those married couples with more than one earner and the remainder. For the years up to and including 1967–68 the estimates of the total number of units relate to calendar years ending during the income tax years and units with incomes of less than £50 per annum are excluded.