§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the deficit and surplus of the National Insurance Fund in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [98059]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe available figures for Great Britain are provided in the table.
£million Year 1Surplus/deficit 1989–90 -62 1990–91 1,485 1991–92 -3,459 1992–93 -4,897 1993–94 1,112 1994–95 2,279 1995–96 1,008 1996–97 -98 1997–98 1,871 1998–99 2,565 1 Excess of receipts over repayments
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the loss to the National Insurance Fund in 2001–02 and 2002–03 from the reduction of employers' contributions resulting from the introduction of a levy on business use of energy in April 2001; and what proposals he has to compensate the Fund for that loss. [97618]
§ Mr. TimmsThe Chancellor announced in the Pre-Budget Report that the employers' rate of National Insurance would be cut from 12.2 per cent. to 11.9 per cent. This change will reduce the level of the National Insurance Fund by around £1 billion in 2001–02 and in 2002–03. A Treasury Grant is used to ensure that the balances on the fund are maintained.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) of 29 October 1999,Official Report, column 1031, by how much the National Insurance Fund balance at the end of each year from 1997–98 to 2001–02 inclusive exceeds the minimum level recommended by the Government Actuary. [97617]
§ Dawn PrimaroloEstimates for Great Britain are shown in the table.
773W
£ million Fund balance1 Minimum level Excess 1997–98 9,608 7,099 2,509 1998–99 12,173 7,429 4,744 1999–20002 13,702 7,758 5,943
£ million Fund balance1 Minimum level Excess 2000–012 15,330 7,965 7,365 2001–022 16,730 8,299 8,430 1 At the end of the year 2 The estimates for these years are based on the difference between forecasts of receipts and expenditure. Changes in these forecasts could have a substantial impact on the balance.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the balance of the National Insurance Fund at(a)31 March, (b)30 September and (c) the latest date for which information is available. [97359]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe balance of the National Insurance Fund (NIF) in Great Britain is estimated to be £12,173 million at 31 March 1999, rising to £13,702 million at 31 March 2000. An estimate for the balance of the NIF at September 1999 would be available only at disproportionate cost.