§ 53. Mr. Ashtonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the increase in employees' national insurance contributions since 1978–79 in 1984 prices and current prices.
§ Mr. WhitneyIt is not possible to provide the information in the form requested. Employees' national insurance contributions (NICs) are calculated as a percentage of gross earnings. The percentages for the relevant years are as follows:
Employees not contracted-out of the state earnings related pension scheme Employees contracted-out of the state earnings related pension scheme† 1978–79 6.5 4 1979–80 6.5 4 1980–81 6.75 4.25 1981–82 7.75 5.25 1982–83 8.75 6.25 1983–84 9.0 6.85 1984–85 9.0 6.85 1985–86*. 9.0 6.85 * Proposed. † These employees pay NICs at the not contracted-out rate on their earnings up to the lower earnings limit and at the contracted-out rate on earnings between the lower and upper earnings limits.