HC Deb 12 May 1986 vol 97 cc341-2W
Mr. Maxton

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the total number of mortgagors in (a) Greater London and (b) the south-east of England receiving mortgage interest relief; what was the average mortgage interest relief per mortgagor in 1985–86 in (i) Greater London and (ii) the south-east of England; and what was the cost to the Exchequer of mortgage interest relief in 1985–86 in (1) Greater London and (2) the south-east of England;

(2) what is the total number of mortgagors receiving mortgage interest relief in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom; what was the average mortgage interest relief per mortgagor per annum in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom in 1985–86; and what was the total cost to the Exchequer of mortgage interest relief in 1985–86 in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Mr. Moore

The information is in the table. The analysis by place of residence is approximate.

Mortgage Interest Tax Relief 1985–86
Direct revenue cost of relief
Number of mortgagors (thousands) Total cost £ million Cost per mortgagor £
England 7,170 4,250 590
Scotland 400 270 680
Wales 320 170 530
Northern Ireland 110 60 550
United Kingdom 8,000 4,750 590
Of which:
Greater London 830 570 690
SE (including Greater London) 2,920 2,010 690

Mr. Raynsford

asked the Chancellor of the Exchquer if he will publish a table showing the total value of mortgage interest relief forgone as tax income by the Inland Revenue, the total number of recipients of this relief and the average amount of relief received per mortgagor, respectively, in the United Kingdom, in England and in Greater London in each tax year for 1978–79 to 1985–86 and give an estimate for 1986–87.

Mr. Moore

The latest estimates are in the table. Estimates for years up to 1982–83 are based on the surveys of personal incomes. From 1983–84 onwards, the figures include mortgages previously under the option mortgage scheme which was subsumed within the arrangements for giving mortgage interest relief at source. Detailed information by region is not available from Inland Revenue records for years from 1983–84 and the estimates for London and England are approximate.

Mortgage Interest Tax Relief
Total cost £ million Number of mortgagors thousands Average cost of relief £
1978–79
London 170 700 240
England 995 5,050 200
United Kingdom 1,110 5.65 200
1979–80
London 230 750 310
England 1,300 5,250 250
United Kingdom 1,450 5,900 250
1980–81
London 275 700 390
England 1,745 5,250 335
United Kingdom 1,960 5,900 335
1981–82
London 280 650 430
England 1,830 5,250 350
United Kingdom 2,050 5,900 350
1982–83
London 270 620 430
England 1,900 5,450 350
United Kingdom 2,150 6,180 350
1983–84*
London 330 760 440
England 2,460 6,720 370
United Kingdom 2,750 7,500 370
1984–85*
London 420 790 540
England 3,130 6,940 450
United Kingdom 3,500 7,750 450
1985–86*
London 570 830 690
England 4,250 7,170 590
United Kingdom 4,750 8,000 590
1986–87*
London 570 850 670
England 4,250 7,350 580
United Kingdom 4,750 8,200 580
* Provisional
Forecast