§ Mr. Gordon BrownTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many people are now making contributions under the payroll giving scheme; what is the total amount given to charity; and what is the cost to the Exchequer;
(2) what is the percentage of taxpayers who are in the payroll giving scheme.
§ Mr. Norman LamontIt is estimated that about 100,000 employees are currently participating in the payroll giving scheme. This represents about 0.5 per cent. of all income taxpayers. Information on the amount of donations is only available for 1987–88, the first year of the scheme, when about £1 million was donated. The level of donations is expected to be substantially higher in 1988–89. The cost of the income tax relief in 1987–88 was about £300,000.