§ Dr. Owenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what the increase in employers' total national insurance payments has been between 1979–80 and 1986–87 (a) in cash terms and (b) in real terms.
§ Mr. MajorEmployers' national insurance payments show a drop in real terms between 1979–80 and 1986–87 of nearly 22 per cent. Figures for Great Britain, based on 1985–86 prices, are as follows:
Cash terms Real terms £ million £ million 1979–80 9,832 15,908 *1986–87 12,851 12,446 * Estimate.
The 1979–80 figures include the national insurance surcharge (abolished in 1984–85); the 1986–87 figures exclude amounts recovered for statutory sick pay (introduced in 1983–84). Both figures include payments for the national health service element and. the employment protection allocation.