HC Deb 10 February 1998 vol 306 cc189-90W
Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her policy for responding to letters received in the(a) Scottish Gaelic, (b) Welsh, (c) Urdu, (d) Hindi and (e) Chinese language. [28063]

Mr. Denham

The Department and its Agencies will, whenever possible, respond to letters in the language in which they are written.

The Department publishes leaflets in up to 16 different languages including Welsh, Urdu, Hindi and Chinese.

Estimated additional revenue raised in a full year by increasing employer contribution rates and number of employees for whom they would pay more
Additional Revenue (£ million)
(a) (b) (c)
Employers' contribution rates in respect of employees with weekly earnings above the amounts in column (a)
Employees weekly earnings above 12 per cent. 15 per cent. 20 per cent. 25 per cent. 30 per cent. Number of employees
465 750 1,875 3,750 5,650 7,525 3,450,000
500 650 1,600 3,200 4,775 6,375 2,850,000
600 425 1,050 2,100 3,150 4,175 1,600,000
700 300 725 1,450 2,175 2,900 950,000
750 250 625 1.225 1,825 2,450 750,000
800 200 525 1,050 1,575 2,100 600,000
900 150 400 800 1,175 1,575 400,000
1,000 125 300 600 925 1,225 300,000

Source:

Government Actuary's Department.

Mr. Fallon

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the cost of increasing the amount an employee may earn before his employer pays National Insurance contributions from £62 a week to(a) £70, (b) £75, (c) £80, (d) £85, (e) £90, (f) £95 and (g) £100 a week. [28689]

Mr. Denham

The information requested is in the table.

Reduction in revenue from Class I National Insurance contributions
Weekly lower earnings limit £ 1Full year effect £ million
(a) 70 -55
(b) 75 -95
(c) 80 -115
(d) 85 -135
(e) 90 -155
(f) 95 -180
(g) 100 -205
1 Gross of contracted-out rebates.

Note:

Assumes that there are no changes to the other earnings brackets for employer National Insurance contributions.