§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the revenue effect of reducing national insurance contributions by 0.5 per cent. for those employed in central Government and associated public bodies; [82749]
(2) if he will estimate the revenue effect of reducing the national insurance charge by 0.5 per cent. for all those employed in or by local government. [82751]
§ Dawn PrimaroloA reliable estimate could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in work are paying contributions of less than 25 times the lower earnings limit every year. [82697]
§ Dawn Primarolo[holding answer 4 May 1999]Based on the DSS Lifetime Labour Market Database, there were 2.2 million people with Class 1 and/or Class 2 contributions paid on earnings less than 25 times the Lower Earnings Limit (£58) in the 1995–96 tax year. The figures are based on those who have actually paid contributions at the full rate. They exclude women paying Reduced Rate Class 1 contributions and do not take any credited contributions into account. However, they do include students and others working for only part of the year.