HC Deb 03 February 1998 vol 305 cc573-5W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate (i) the revenue forgone in the operation of(a) PEPs and (b) TESSAs in each full year of their existence, (ii) the take up of TESSAs and PEPs in (1) each decile of income and (2) each region and nation of the United Kingdom and (iii) the revenue forgone in respect of CGT separately. [23659]

Mr. Geoffrey Robinson

Available information is in the tables. The regional distribution of take-up is based on current estimates that about 4 1/2, million people have a TESSA, and over 3 million people have one or more PEP, representing 10 per cent. and 8 per cent. of the UK adult population respectively.

Estimated cost of tax relief for PEPs and TESSAs
£million
Year Income tax PEPs CGT Total TESSAs
1986–87 neg neg neg
1987–88 5 neg 5
1988–89 15 neg 15
1989–90 20 neg 20
1990–91 45 20 65 25
1991–92 90 30 120 200
1992–93 120 50 170 250
1993–94 140 90 230 300
1994–95 200 125 325 350
1995–96 300 150 450 450
1996–971 400 200 600 350
1997–981 500 300 800 450
1 Provisional.

neg=negligible.

Per cent.
Region Estimated regional take-up1 of
TESSAs PEPs
United Kingdom 10 8
England 11 8
North 10 7
North West 9 7
Yorkshire and Humberside 11 7
East Midlands 10 6
West Midlands 10 7
East Anglia 12 9
South East 11 9
South West 10 10
Wales 10 7
Scotland 8 7
Northern Ireland 10 5
1Based on the population aged 18 and over.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of void(a) PEPs and (b) TESSAs identified in each year of the last three years and the average number of years of tax liability recovered in respect of each void PEP or TESSA. [23658]

Mr. Geoffrey Robinson

Numbers of PEPs and TESSAs made void because the holder had subscribed to more than one PEP or TESSA in a tax year are as follows:

PEPs TESSAs
1994–95 1,118 1,406
1995–96 1,028 473
1996–97 1,954 905

Figures for PEPs and TESSAs made void for other breaches of the PEP and TESSA Regulations, and for the average number of years of tax liability recovered, are not available.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the distribution of (i) TESSA and (ii) PEP holders and the tax revenue forgone to those holders amongst the regions and nations of the United Kingdom. [23660]

Mr. Geoffrey Robinson

Regional distributions of PEP and TESSA holders based on Inland Revenue records for 1995–96 are given in the table. The value of funds held in TESSAs follows the same pattern as the distribution of holders, and the regional distribution of the cost of tax relief is expected to be broadly similar. The regional distribution of the value of funds held in PEPs is not available from Inland Revenue records.

Per cent.
Region Regional distribution of holders of
TESSAs PEPs
United Kingdom 100 100
England 86 86
North 5 4
North West 10 10
Yorkshire and Humberside 9 7
East Midlands 7 6
West Midlands 9 8
East Anglia 4 4
South East 34 36
South West 8 11
Wales 5 4
Scotland 7 8
Northern Ireland 2 2

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