§ Mr. Strawasked the Paymaster General what was the job release allowance in 1980 and in each subsequent year up to the present date.
§ Mr. LangThe following table gives the weekly job release allowances for each year since 1980.
Taxfree Taxable Higher Lower Higher Lower £ £ £ £ 1980 45.50 36.00 53.00 43.00 1981 50.50 40.00 59.00 47.50 1982 55.00 43.50 64.00 52.00 1983 57.75 45.70 67.20 54.60 1984 60.65 48.00 70.55 57.35 1985 63.00 49.95 71.15 58.35 1986 65.50 51.95 74.00 60.65
§ Mr. Strawasked the Paymaster General what has been the percentage increase in the level of the job release allowance for each year since 1980; and what were the percentage increases in the retail prices index for the corresponding years.
§ Mr. LangThe following table gives the information requested.
Percentage Increases (April) Tax-free Taxable Retail price Higher Lower Higher Lower Index 1980–81 11.0 11.00 11.3 10.5 12.00 1981–82 8.9 8.8 8.5 9.5 9.4 1982–83 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 4.0 1983–84 5.0 5.1 5.0 5.0 5.2 1984–85 3.9 4.1 0.9 1.7 6.9 1985–86 4.0 4.0 4.0 3.9 3.0