§ Mr. Rookerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, using the same assumptions for 1984–85 for earnings he made in answering on 27 March, Official Report, c. 109. 90W regarding income and taxation, he will update his answer of 23 January, Official Report, c. 376. to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr in respect of family income.
§ Mr. Moore[pursuant to his reply, 5 April 1984, c. 631–3]: The table shows the multiple of gross average earnings at which the proportion taken in income tax plus national insurance contributions less child benefit (where appropriate) would be equal in 1978–79 and 1984–85.
Multiple of average earnings Single 2.0 Married with no children 1.9 Married with two children (both under 11 years) 1.7 Married with four children (two under 11, one 11–15, one over 16 years) 1.8 Average earnings, for full time adult males (all occupations), have been taken as £94.40 per week in 1978–79 and £182.40 per week in 1984–85.
For purposes of illustration, an increase in child benefit of 5½per cent. in November 1984 has been assumed, in line with the assumptions used in the public expenditure White Paper (Cmnd 9143). The actual increase will be announced in June.