HC Deb 03 December 1991 vol 200 cc129-30W
Sir Ian Gilmour

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing the upper and lower earnings levels for national insurance contributions in each year since 1978,(a) at current prices, (b) at constant 1991 prices and (c) as percentages of average earnings; and if he will estimate the proportion of wage and salary earners who have to pay national insurance contributions under this system.

Mr. Jack

The information requested is in the table. It is estimated that 85 per cent. of employees pay national insurance contributions.

Weekly Upper Earnings Level Current Prices April 1991 Prices1 April 1991 Prices Average12 As a Percentage of Average Earnings3
April 1978 120.00 323.79 312.67 134.7
April 1979 135.00 330.93 304.38 133.1
April 1980 165.00 332.20 319.20 133.3
Weekly Upper Earnings Level Current Prices April 1991 Prices1 April 1991 Prices Average12 As a Percentage of Average Earnings3
April 1981 200.00 359.40 347.00 142.4
April 1982 220.00 361.33 356.30 142.4
April 1983 235.00 371.11 363.67 142.7
April 1984 250.00 375.38 368.29 139.8
April 1985 265.00 372.15 368.48 137.7
April 1986 285.00 388.39 384.08 137.4
April 1987 295.00 385.70 382.28 131.7
April 1988 305.00 383.70 373.01 124.1
April 1989 325.00 378.46 368.67 120.6
April 1990 350.00 372.38 361.94 118.4
April 1991 390.00 390.0 — 122.3
Weekly Lower Earnings Level
April 1978 17.50 47.22 45.60 19.6
April 1979 19.50 47.80 43.97 19.2
April 1980 23.00 46.31 44.49 18.6
April 1981 27.00 48.52 46.84 19.2
April 1982 29.50 48.45 47.78 19.1
April 1983 32.50 51.32 50.29 19.7
April 1984 34.00 51.05 50.09 19.0
April 1985 35.50 49.85 49.36 18.5
April 1986 38.00 51.79 51.21 18.3
April 1987 39.00 50.99 50.54 17.4
April 1988 41.00 51.58 50.14 16.7
April 1989 43.00 50.07 48.78 16.0
April 1990 46.00 48.94 47.57 15.6
April 1991 52.00 52.00 — 16.3
1 Using the general index of retail prices
2 The average is calculated over the period for which the level is applicable
3 Using average weekly estimates of all adult males derived from the Department of Employment's New Earnings Survey.