§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by how much the real net incomes after housing costs of(a)the poorest 10 per cent. and (b)the richest 10 824W per cent. of householders with children have changed since 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BurtReliable estimates of the changes in the real net incomes for the top 10 per cent. and bottom 10 per cent. of householders with children are not available. The following table gives the information for the top 20 per cent. and bottom 20 per cent. The latest period for which information is available is 1991–92, that is the two calendar years combined.
Information is given both before and after housing costs.
The fall in income for the bottom 20 per cent. was due mainly to the decline in employment among couples with children and the increased in lone parenthood.
Percentage change in real incomes of top 20 per cent. and bottom 20 per cent. of families with children, 1979 to 1991–92 percentage change Quintile 1 bottom 20 per cent. Quintile 5 top 20 per cent. Before housing costs (-2) 51 After housing costs (-12) 49 Notes:
1. The figures relate to the top 20 per cent. and bottom 20 per cent. of individuals in families with children.
2. Percentage growth estimates are calculated from the median income of each quintile.
3. Estimates in brackets 0 are particularly uncertain; see Appendix.
5 Of "Households Below Average Income 1979 to 1991–92"—a copy of which is in the Library—for details of the tests applied to estimates of changes in real incomes.