HC Deb 12 December 1994 vol 251 cc540-2W
Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much compensation towards the extra cost of value added tax on domestic fuel there will be within the benefit rates from next April for pensioners and disabled people.

Mr. Lilley

Average amounts of compensation are shown in the table. Fuel prices have fallen in real terms over the last two years inclusive of VAT. Pensioners and disabled people should therefore have experienced gains in addition to those due to VAT compensation next year exceeding the impact of eight per cent. VAT on average fuel bills.

VAT: 8 per cent, of estimated average fuel bill, for each group of recipients, in 1995–96 —per week £ Compensation in 1995–96—per week. (includes amounts added into benefit rates in 1994–95 and 1995–96) £
Pensioners1 0.85 0.90
Disabled people2 0.90 1.00
1 The average of VAT and compensation for all single people over pension age, and all couples where the head of the couple is over pension age.
2The average of VAT and compensation for all single disabled people, and all couples where at least one person in the couple is disabled.

Note:

Modelled using the 1990–91–92 family expenditure surveys, uprated to 1995–96 levels. Amounts of VAT and compensation are calculated at benefit unit level. Estimates of VAT for pensioners are similar—within 5p—to those produced by Age Concern from the 1993 family expenditure survey.

Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the changes to his proposals, consequent upon the decision not to proceed with the second phase of value added tax on domestic fuel following his annual review of national insurance contributions.

Mr. Lilley

The revised contribution rates and thresholds are in the table.

CLASS 1

  • Lower Earnings Limit1 £58 a week
  • Upper Earnings Limit £440 a week

Employees contributions2

  • Initial rate 2 per cent.—on earnings up to the LEL
  • Main rate 10 per cent. —on earnings between the LEL and UEL

Employer contributions2

Weekly earnings Contribution rate
£58-£104.99 3 per cent.
£105-£149.99 5 per cent.
£150-£204.99 7 per cent.
£205 and over 10.2 per cent.

CLASS 2

  • Self employed rate1 £5.75 a week
  • Limit of net earnings for exception from
  • Class 2 liability1 £3,260 a year

CLASS 3

  • Voluntary contributions rate £5.75 a week

CLASS 4

  • Lower Profits Limit £6,640
  • Upper Profits Limit £22,880

Contribution rate 7.3 per cent.

Note:

1 Revised in light of the decision not to proceed with the second phase of VAT. 2 Not contracted-out rates shown. A contracted-out rebate of 3 per cent. for employers and 1.8 per cent. for employees applies to earnings between the lower earnings limit and the upper earnings limit.