§ Ms CorstonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons receiving the basic retirement pension(a) pay income tax over the standard rate, (b) pay income tax at the standard rate and (c) pay no income tax; and in each case what is the percentage of the total. [3045]
§ Mr. JackAvailable information for 1996–97 is given in the following table and relates to individuals above state retirement age.
Number in millions Percentage of total Marginal tax rate Individuals aged 65 or over Women aged 60 to 64 Individuals aged 65 or over Women aged 60 to 64 Higher rate 0.1 1— 1 1 Basic rate 1.2 0.2 13 18 Lower rate 1.7 0.4 19 25 No tax liability 6.3 0.8 67 56 Total 9.3 1.4 100 100 1Fewer than 50,000. The estimates are based on information projected from 1994–95 survey of personal incomes and population estimates from the Government Actuary's Department; they are therefore provisional.