§ Mr. Rookerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the change in Treasury supplement to the national insurance fund since 1979 in percentage and money terms.
§ Mr. MooreThe amounts paid in Treasury supplements to the national insurance fund from the Consolidated Fund since 1979, expressed as a percentage of income from national insurance contributions, and in cash terms are as follows:
Treasury Supplement * As a percentage of contribution income £ million 1979–80 18 2,343 1980–81 18 2,848 1981–82 14.5 2,433 1982–83 13 †2,591 1983–84 13 †2,787 * The Treasury supplement is calculated as a percentage of gross national contribution income, ignoring rebates on contributions in respect of those contracted out of the state earnings-related pension scheme and deductions in respect of statutory sick pay. † Provisional figures based on estimates of contribution income provided by the Government Actuary.
Thousands Number of tax-payers* Number of tax-payers* if allowances had remained at the level of the previous year Difference 1978–79 25,900 — — 1979–80 25,900 27,200 1,300 1980–81 25,200 26,500 1,300 1981–82 24,800 24,800 0 1982–83† 24,600 25,800 1,200 1983–84† 24,200 25,450 1,250 * Including taxpaying wives. † Provisional.