§ Mr. Andrew BowdenTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of retirement pensioners(a) aged 65 to 79 years and (b) aged 80 years or over who will be better off by (i) £1 per week, (ii) £1 to £2 per week, (iii) £2 to £3 per week, (iv) £3 to £4 per week, (v) £4 to £5 per week, and (vi) £5 per week or over as a consequence of the increase in the age allowances to £3,180 and £3,310 for a single person and £5,035 and £5,205 for a married couple.
Gain1 per week Number of tax units2 who gain as a result of the increase in personal allowances (thousands) Number of tax units2 who gain from the Budget proposals for income tax rates and allowances (thousands) Aged 65–79 Aged 80 + Aged 65–79 Aged 80 + up to £1 230 65 115 30 £l-£2 1,510 290 515 120 £2-£3 235 15 560 85 £3-£4 80 15 230 35 £4-£5 75 5 130 20 Over £5 10 Nil 600 80 TOTAL 2,120 400 2,120 400 1 Compared with 1987–88 tax regime. 2 Married couples counted as one unit.