§ Mr. Horamasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the level of income in current prices and expressed as a percentage of national average earnings above which single people, married couples and married couples with two children in each case in 1982–83 and in 1983–84 pay less income tax and national insurance contributions, less child benefit where applicable, as a total sum of money in constant prices and as a proportion of gross earnings than they did in 1978–79, using for 1983–84 the assumptions contained in the Red Book forecast.
§ Mr. Ridley[pursuant to his reply, 18 March 1983, c. 28]: The figures—both £ per week at 1978–79 prices and percentages of gross earnings—are shown in the tables below. The definitions are the same as those in the notes to the answer to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Cunningham) on 23 November 1982.— [Vol. 32, c. 418–20.]
69W
1982–83 1983–84 Single Married Married + 2 Single Married Married + 2 Percentage (5.9) (5.9) (5.9) (6.1) (6.1) (6.1) Child benefit — — 6.80 — — 7.16 Percentage — — (3.4) — — (3.5) Net earnings 131.32 135.62 142.42 133.90 138.47 145.63 Percentage (65.3) (67.5) (70.8) (66.0) (68.3) (71.8) 500 per cent. of average earnings Gross earnings 502.52 502.52 502.52 507.22 507.22 507.22 Income Tax 220.65 214.34 214.34 216.85 209.99 209.99 Percentage (43.9) (42.7) (42.7) (42.8) (41.4) (41.4) National Insurance contributions 11.96 11.96 11.96 12.45 12.45 12.45 Percentage (2.4) (2.4) (2.4) (2.5) (2.5) (2.5) Child benefit — — 6.80 — — 7.16 Percentage — — (1.4) — — (1.4) Net earnings 269.91 276.22 283.02 277.92 284.78 291.94 Percentage (53.7) (55.0) (56.3) (54.8) (56.1) (57.6)