HC Deb 27 January 1998 vol 305 c166W
Mr. Willetts

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans the Government have to change the entitlement to child benefit for 16 to 18 year olds. [25108]

Mr. Keith Bradley

I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given to the hon. Members for Aldershot (Mr. Howarth) and for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) on Monday 26 January 1998,Official Report, columns 103–04.

Mr. Willetts

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals receiving child benefit are estimated to be paying income tax at the higher rate; and how many live in families where their partner is estimated to be paying tax at the higher rate. [25104]

Mr. Keith Bradley

An estimate for 1997–98 from the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey based Policy Simulation Model (PSM) suggests there are around 120,000 individuals receiving child benefit and paying income tax at the higher rate. The PSM also estimates that there are around 855,000 individuals receiving child benefit where their partner is paying tax at the higher rate. The estimates should be treated with some caution as they are based on survey data which use current weekly income which may not accurately represent current annual tax liabilities. Estimates may also be influenced by sampling error and response rates.

Note:

1. All figures are rounded to the nearest 5,000.