HC Deb 03 February 1994 vol 236 c823W
19. Mr. Spellar

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the percentage of gross national product taken in all forms of taxation; and what were comparable figures for 1979, 1974, 1970 and 1966.

Mr. Dorrell

Taxes and social security contributions are forecast to be equivalent to 34 per cent. of GDP in 1993–94. The comparable figure in 1978–79 was 34¼ per cent.; in 1973–74, 33¾ per cent.; in 1969–70, 37½ per cent.; and in 1965–66, 31¾ per cent.

26. Mr. Kevin Hughes

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate what the nation's tax burden as a percentage of GDP will be in 1998–99; and what this figure was in 1978–79.

Mr. Dorrell

On the basis of the medium term fiscal projections shown in the latest "Financial Statement and Budget Report", non-North sea taxes and social security contributions would be 38½ per cent. of non-oil GDP in 1998–99, when the PSBR is projected to represent a ¼ per cent. of GDP. The comparable figure for 1978–79, when the PSBR represented 5½ per cent. of GDP, was 34¾ per cent.

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