HC Deb 01 November 1995 vol 265 cc256-8W
Mr. Nigel Griffiths

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many taxpayers on PAYE have gross incomes(a) under £10,00, (b) £25,000 (c) £50,000, (d) £75,000, (e) £100,000, (f) £125,000, (g) £150,000, (h) £175,000, (i) £200,000 and (j) over £250,000, specifying in each case the average amount of income subject to PAYE. [39113]

Mr. Jack

Available estimates for 1995–95 are given in the table.

Range of Gross Income Taxpayers with a source of income subject to PAYE Thousands Gross Income1 £ million Average PAYE income £1 2
£0-£ 10,000 8,000 54,800 5,780
£10,000-£25,000 11,200 179,000 15,100
£25,000-£50,000 2,400 77,800 30,200
£50,000-£75,000 240 14,500 54,000
£75,000-£100,000 70 5,610 72,300
£100,000 and over 80 14,800 147,000
Total 22,000 346,000 14,400
1 Gross income is defined as total income for income tax purposes. It excludes income from certain social security benefits and some investment income such as national savings certificates.
2 Main and subsidiary source schedule E income, occupational pensions, other schedule E income and taxable expenses and benefits.

Mr. McMaster

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the basic rate of income tax would be increased to raise an additional £1,000 million in revenue; how much the basic rate of income tax would be increased to raise this sum if the spread of all taxation was consistent with that on 1 June; and if he will make a statement. [39293]

Mr. Jack

The basic rate of income tax would need to be raised by about ½p.

Mr. Bayley

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost in 1996–97 and a full year of widening the 20p band of tax to the degree necessary to make half of all taxpayers liable at the 20p rate of tax; and if he will indicate the upper limit of the 20p rate that would be necessary to achieve this. [40775]

Mr. Jack

[holding answer 31 October 1995]: The lower rate band would need to be widened to £8,500. The direct revenue cost would be about £4.1 billion in a full year at 1996–97 income levels. This estimate includes consequential effects on the yield of capital gains.

Mr. Bayley

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide figures for(a) the number of higher rate taxpayers and (b) the total number of taxpayers on gross incomes of between £31,000 and £40,000 in £1,000 bands. [40786]

Mr. Jack

[holding answer 31 October 1995]: Provisional estimates for 1995–96 are given in the table.

Range of gross income1 £ Number of taxpayers in 1995–96 Thousands Higher rate taxpayers in 1995–96
£31,000-£32,000 170 160
£32,000-£33,000 120 120
£33,000-£34,000 120 120
£34,000-£35,000 110 110
£35,000-£36,000 120 120
£36,000-£37,000 90 90
£37,000-£38,000 80 80
£38,000-£39,000 70 70
£39,000-£40,000 60 60
1 Gross income is defined as total income for income tax purposes. It excludes income from certain social security benefits and some investment income such as national savings certificates.

Mr. Bayley

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost in 1996–97 and a full year of reducing the number of people paying tax at the higher rate to(a) 2 million, (b) 1.5 million, (c) 1 million, (d) 0.75 million and (e) 0.5 million indicating in each case the upper limit for the 25p rate. [40776]

Mr. Jack

[holding answer 31 October 1995]: Estimated full-year costs at 1996–97 income levels are given in the table.

Reduction in the number of higher rate taxpayers to Full year revenue cost at 1996–97 levels £ billion Basic rate limit assumed
2 million 0.4 26,500
1.5 million 1.3 29,800
1 million 2.3 35,300
Reduction in the number of higher rate taxpayers to Full year revenue cost at 1996–97 levels £ billion Basic rate limit assumed
0.75 million 3.0 40,300
0.5 million 3.6 46,300