HC Deb 12 April 1994 vol 241 cc41-2W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number and percentage of basic rate and higher rate taxpayers in(a) South Yorkshire, (b) North Yorkshire, (c) West Yorkshire, (d) Humberside and (e) the United Kingdom for the most recent year for which figures are available.

Mr. Dorrell

The table provides estimates for 1991–92, the latest available year for which information can be provided below the United Kingdom level. Estimates of MIRAS are unreliable at county and regional level and have been excluded from the calculation of tax liability for the counties in the table, and for the United Kingdom for consistency.

Taxpayers liable at only basic rate Taxpayers liable at higher rate
000s Per cent 000s Per cent
South Yorkshire 505 97.2 14 2.8
North Yorkshire 359 93.7 24 6.3
West Yorkshire 862 95.9 37 4.1
Humberside 327 94.8 18 5.2
United Kingdom 24,800 93.9 1,620 6.1

Ms Corston

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates to be the total cost in 1994–95 of tax expenditures on(a) relief for occupational pension schemes, (b) contributions to personal pensions, (c) mortgage interest, (d) contracted-out rebate for occupational schemes and personal pensions, (e) married couple's allowance, (f) capital allowances for income tax and corporation tax and (g) inheritance tax transfers not exceeding £150,000.

Mr. Dorrell

Estimates for 1994–95 are as follows:

£ million
Relief for:
Occupational pension schemes 17,100
Contributions to personal pensions (including retirement annuity premia and FSAVCs) 1,700
Mortgage interest2 3,400
Contracted-out rebate for occupational schemes and personal pensions 7,400
Married couple's allowance 3,500
Capital allowances for income tax and corporation tax 114,400
Inheritance tax nil rate band for transfers not exceeding £150,000 14,400
1These figures are particularly tentative and subject to a wide margin of error.
2This figure is based on the conventional assumption that mortgage interest rates remain at their current levels.

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect on the average family's tax bill of the Budget changes in the married couple's income tax allowance and mortgage interest relief.

Mr. Dorrell

A basic rate taxpayer in receipt of the married couple's allowance will pay £86 more in income tax in 1994–95 following its restriction to 20 per cent. Mortgage interest relief does not in general depend on the income of the mortgagor. It is estimated that the average size of mortgages in the United Kingdom will be greater than the qualifying maximum of £30,000. Assuming current levels of mortgage interest rates, the reduction in relief on the mortgage of £30,000 or over will be £115.50 in 1994–95.