§ Ms. QuinTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the average post-tax income of the bottom 2 per cent. of income tax payers in each financial year since 1979–80;
(2) what was the average post-tax income of the top 2 per cent. of income tax payers in each financial year since 1979–80.
§ Mr. MaudeEstimates are given in the table for 1979–80, and 1990–91. Information for other years could be provided only at disproportionate cost. All estimates of income are based on information reported to tax offices and collected through the annual surveys of personal incomes. For 1979–80 the figure excludes employees' contributions to occupational pension schemes and some investment income on which tax is deducted at source. The figures for 1979–80 represent the average income of single people or married couples; for 1990–91 the figure relates to individuals following the change to independent taxation. The figures for 1990–91 are based on projections of the 1987–88 survey of personal incomes and are therefore provisional.
I regret that reliable estimates for the bottom 2 per cent. of taxpayers are not available. The table therefore shows figures for the bottom 5 per cent.
Average post-tax income (£) 1979–801 1990–912 Bottom 5 per cent. 1,800 4,300 Top 2 per cent. 15,100 51,800
Average tax paid (£) 1979–801 1990–912 Bottom 5 per cent. 40 60 Top 2 per cent. 8,200 23,500 1 For single people and married couples. 2 For individuals.