§ Mr. TrotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals would be affected if the employee limit on national insurance contributions were removed; and what is his estimate of the total extra amount that they would have to pay. [14868]
§ Mr. HealdIt is estimated that in any one week in 1996–97 an average of 3.2 million employees have earnings above the national insurance upper earnings limit.
If the limit was removed, it is estimated that the employees affected would pay an extra £3.3 billion in contributions in a full year1.
Notes:
1Assumes that the current 10 per cent, contribution rate would apply to earnings above the Upper Earnings Limit.