§ Mr. Andrew Bowdenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many retirement pensioners are currently liable for tax; how many would be liable for tax if the age allowance were raised by 12.5 per cent.; and how many will be liable for tax if the age allowance is raised by the amount specified in the Budget statement.
§ Mr. Moore[pursuant to his reply, 26 March 1984]: About 2.4 million single people over 65 or married couples with one partner over 65 are liable to income tax in 1983–84. If the age allowances were raised by 12.5 per cent. from their 1983–84 levels, about 2.2 million would be liable to tax in 1984–85, compared with 2.4 million under the Budget proposals and 2.5 million if age allowances for 1984–85 were not changed from their 1983–84 levels.