§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the proportion of those he expects to claim the disabled persons tax credit who will be paying(a) no national insurance contributions and (b) contributions of less than 25 times the lower earnings limit in each of the next five years. [85509]
§ Dawn PrimaroloIt is estimated that about 25 per cent. of DPTC recipients will pay no national insurance contributions in 1999–2000. The percentage actually paying no contributions in subsequent years will be higher, because of the increase in the thresholds announced in the Budget. However, contributions on earnings between the lower earnings limit and the new threshold will be notionally paid with no loss of benefit entitlement. The proportion earning less than the lower earnings limit is expected to remain at about 25 per cent.
I regret that no information is available on the proportion of DPTC claimants paying contributions on earnings of less than 25 times the lower earnings limit in a year.