HC Deb 11 December 1984 vol 69 c454W
Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average real income of (a) the top 10 per cent., (b) the top 20 per cent. and (c) the botton 20 per cent. of taxpayers in Scotland in 1979–80 and at the latest available date.

Mr. Moore

Estimates of average income for different percentiles of taxpayers resident in Scotland are readily available only from 1980–81. For average total income before tax in 1980–81 and 1981–82 (the latest available), they are as follows:

Average total income before tax (£)
Percentage of taxpayers* £

1980–81

£

1981–82

Percentage increase
Top 10 per cent. 15,200 17,100 12.0
Top 20 per cent. 12,400 13,900 11.8
Bottom 20 per cent. 2,550 2,790 9.4
* Married couples paying tax are counted as one unit
Calculated from unrounded figures

[Source: Annual Survey of Personal Incomes]

The percentage increase in the general index of retail prices between 1980–81 and 1981–82 was 11.5 per cent.

Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage share of total income after tax of (a) the top 10 per cent. and (b) the top 20 per cent. of taxpayers in Scotland in 1979–80; and what where the corresponding figures for the latest available date.

Mr. Moore

Estimates for taxpayers resident in Scotland are readily available only from 1980–81. Estimates for 1980–81 and for 1981–82 (the latest available) are as follows:

Percentage share of Total Income after tax
Percentage of taxpayers* 1980–81 1981–82
Top 10 per cent. 22.1 22.4
Top 20 per cent. 36.9 37.5
* Married couples paying tax are counted as one unit

[Source: Annual Survey of Personal Incomes]

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