§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes have taken place in the blind persons' tax allowances in each year since 1989; what was the cost thereof; and if he will make a statement on his decision in the November 1994 Budget.
§ Sir George YoungThe blind person's allowance is not subject to statutory annual indexation. However, it was doubled in 1990–91 from £540 to £1,080 and further increased to £1,200 in 1994–95. At 1995–96 income levels, the cost of the allowance is expected to be about £3 million greater than if the allowance were available only at its 1989–90 level of £540. Between 1989–90 and 1995–96, the allowance has increased by almost 70 per cent. in real terms.