§ Mr. Alan HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of average earnings the upper earnings limit for national insurance contributions has represented in each of the years(a) 1989–90, (b) 1990–91, (c) 1992–93, (d) 1993–94, (e) 1994–95, (f) 1995–96 and (g) 1996–97. [39108]
§ Mr. HealdThe information is in the table.
Year Average weekly earnings (£)1 Weekly upper earnings limit (£) Upper earnings limit as a percentage of average earnings 1989–90 250 325 130 1990–91 274 350 128 1991–92 296 390 132 1992–93 312 405 130 1993–94 322 420 130 1994–95 332 430 130
Number of people claiming benefit due to medical incapacity (Sickness Benefit and Incapacity Benefit) and receiving National Insurance credits only no benefit in payment: Great Britain—thousands Total claimants Men Women Married women Other women 1 April 19891 157 70 87 33 54 31 March 19901 205 95 110 40 70 30 March 19911 262 126 137 53 84 4 April 19921 320 160 160 61 100 3 April 19931 387 201 185 75 110 2 April 19941 440 233 207 83 124 12 April 19951 512 277 235 92 143 29 February 19962 580 320 260 n/a n/a Source:
1 per cent. sample of all claims to Sickness Benefit in Great Britain.
5 per cent. sample of claims to Incapacity Benefit, excluding a small number of cases not held on teh computer.
Note:
1. For incapacity only point in time information is available, relating to the end of the statistical year in question.
296W
Year Average weekly earnings (£)1 Weekly upper earnings limit (£) Upper earnings limit as a percentage of average earnings 1995–96 344 440 125 1996–97 357 455 127 1 Average weekly earnings for all full-time workers whose pay was not affected by absence during the year. The figure for 1996–97 is an estimate.