§ Mr. PearsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of (a) the cost of the climate change levy to his Department and (b) the savings from the reduction in national insurance contributions that will occur when it is introduced. [88861]
§ Mr. TimmsThe net impact of the climate change levy and the associated reduction in the main rate of employers' National Insurance Contributions on the Department of Social Security will depend on the rates of climate change levy. The final rates of climate change levy will not be set until Finance Bill 2000.
In addition, we are still considering a number of detailed issues on the tax treatment of different energy products which could have a significant impact in some instances. It is, therefore, not possible to give definitive figures about the impact of the climate change levy on the Department of Social Security.