§ Mr. WicksTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people paid tax at marginal rates of 50 per cent. and above, broken down(a) into 10 per cent. bands
Table A: Average reduction in income tax per individual1 in 1996–97 compared with the 1978–79 indexed regime Range of individual's income in 1996–97(£ Number of individuals 1996-971(million) Total reduction (£ million) Average reduction (£ per annum) Under 5,000 2.6 380 150 5,000 to 10,000 8.0 3,100 390 10,000 to 15,000 6.0 4,900 810 15,000 to 20,000 4.2 5,200 1,240 20,000 to 30,000 4.1 7,300 1,790 30,000 to 50,000 1.7 4,700 2,780 50,000 to 80,000 0.4 3,000 7,420 Over 80,000 0.2 9,700 47,200 Total 27.2 38,300 1,410 1 Individuals liable to income tax under the 1978–79 indexed regime. In contrast to these hypothetical figures, table B shows how the share of income tax actually paid by high-income groups has risen since 1979, while the share of the income tax burden borne by low-income tax payers has fallen.
Table B: Calculation using the income base for each year Per cent. Quantile group of taxpayers 1978–79 1996–97 Top 1 11 17 Top 5 24 34 Top 10 35 45 Bottom 50 18 13 All taxpayers 100 100