§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the cost to the Exchequer at the 1986–87 tax rates announced in the Budget of the married man's tax allowance in excess of the corresponding single person's allowance; how much of this cost is attributable to taxpayers aged below 65 years; and what is the weekly value of this extra relief to the married man paying income tax at the standard rate.
§ Mr. Moore[pursuant to his reply, 27 March 1986, c. 605]: The direct revenue cost of the married man's allowance, in excess of the single person's allowance, is estimated to be £4.5 billion in a full year at 1986–87 income levels. Of this, some £3.8 billion is in respect of those aged under 65. The extra relief is worth £7.36 a week in 1986–87 to a basic rate taxpayer not entitled to age allowance.