HC Deb 22 February 1988 vol 128 cc29-30W
Ms. Harman

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give for 1987 and 1979 at 1987 prices the average and minimum take-home pay after tax and national insurance payments of nurses who receive only the single person's tax allowance with no mortgage or other tax allowances for the following grades of nurse(a) student nurse, (b) nursing auxiliary, (c) enrolled nurse, (d) staff nurse and (e) sister II.

Mr. Norman Lamont

[holding answer 15 February 1988]: I regret that information on average earnings is not available for 1979 and not in the form requested for 1987. Levels of take-home pay at constant 1987 prices for nurses at the minima of their pay scales and earning only basic pay are shown in the table.

Take home pay at constant 1987 prices
£ per annum
1979 1987 Percentage increase
Student nurse 3,396 3,790 12.0
Nursing auxiliary 3,451 3,813 10.5

1979 1987 Percentage increase
Enrolled nurse 3,830 4,996 30.4
Staff nurse 4,161 5,732 37.7
Sister II 4,976 6,925 39.2

Notes:

For 1979 gross pay is at 1 June. For 1987 gross pay is current level payable from 1 April 1987.

Take home pay is gross pay less income tax, assuming only a single person's allowance, and contracted out NICs.

The 1979 income tax regime used is that in the "caretaker" Budget of May 1979.

Constant prices calculated using RPI for July of the relevant year.