§ Sir Ian GilmourTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish figures for 1979–80 and 1988–89 showing net incomes, after income tax, national insurance contribution and child benefit, at(a) two-thirds average earnings, (b) average earnings, (c) twice average earnings and (d) three times average earnings, of single-wage married couples with two children as percentages of the net incomes at the same earnings levels of (i) single people and (ii) two-wage married couples, where the combined wage comes to the specified total and the husband earns two thirds and the wife one third.
§ Mr. Lawson[holding answer 28 November 1988]: The information is in the table:
Net income of one earner married couple with 2 children as a percentage of net income of (a) single person and (b) 2 earner married couple with no children on same level of earnings Multiples of average earnings1 ⅔ 1 2 3 (a) As percentage of net income of single person 1979–80 121.9 115.3 108.0 106.7 21988–89 117.4 112.0 107.4 105.4 (b) As percentage of net income of married couple with two earners and no children 1979–80 101.9 100.7 103.4 106.7 21988–89 99.8 100.1 102.6 105.1 The amounts of income (£ per week) are as follows:
Net income after income tax, national insurance contributions and child benefit (£ per week) Multiples of average earnings1 ⅔ 1 2 3 Married couple with one earner and two children 1979–80 65.46 88.60 163.44 226.55 21988–89 145.99 201.89 379.14 531.60 Single 1979–80 53.71 76.85 151.30 212.29 21988–89 124.33 180.23 353.18 505.64 Married couple with two earners and no children 1979–80 64.24 88.02 158.14 288.15 21988–89 146.27 201.62 369.43 533.41 1 Average earnings are those for full time males working a full week at adult rates in all occupations. They are £109.30 per week in 1979–80 and assumed to be £254.10 in 1988–89, an increase of 8¾ percent, on average earnings in 1987–88 (the increase used by the Government Actuary in assessing the level of the National Insurance Fund as described in paragraph 3.02 of the Autumn Statement 1988). 2 Provisional.