National Insurance Contributions

HC Deb 22 February 2000 vol 344 cc984-5W

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate in(a) cash terms and (b) real terms using 1998–99 prices the total level of national insurance contributions received for each year from 1979–80 to 1999–2000, indicating for each of those years the real terms percentage growth of national insurance contributions received in relation to the preceding year's total. [110026]

Mr. Timms

[holding answer 17 February 2000]: Available information for Great Britain is given in the table.

	Total NIC receipts (cash terms)	Total NIC receipts (1998–99 prices)
	£ billion	£ billion	% increase on previous year
1979–80	11.45	31.50	n/a
1980–81	13.56	31.55	0.16
1981–82	15.43	32.80	3.96
1982–83	18.28	36.32	10.73
1983–84	20.11	38.19	5.15
1984–85	21.57	38.92	1.91
1985–86	23.74	40.68	4.52
1986–87	25.70	42.71	4.99
1987–88	28.31	44.66	4.57
1988–89	31.80	47.00	5.24
1989–90	34.61	47.72	1.53

	Total NIC receipts (cash terms)	Total NIC receipts (1998–99 prices)
	£ billion	£ billion	% increase on previous year
1990–91	36.32	46.43	-2.70
1991–92	37.91	45.64	-1.70
1992–93	39.08	45.54	-0.22
1993–94	40.66	46.16	1.36
1994–95	43.09	48.23	4.48
1995–96	45.30	49.29	2.20
1996–97	47.42	49.98	1.40
1997–98	51.83	53.14	6.32
1998–99	55.48	55.48	4.40
1999–2000	57.41	56.13	1.17

Notes:

1. Constant prices using GDP deflator at market prices

2. Figures for 1999–2000 are projections consistent with the November 1999 Pre-Budget Report

Mr. Chaytor

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many requests for employment histories are pending in the National Insurance Contributions Office; and what assessment he has made of the period of time required to clear the backlog. [110085]

Dawn Primarolo

As at Friday 4 February 2000 there were 5,790 employment history cases awaiting completion. It is estimated that it will take 34 weeks to recover and restore the normal target clearance of 13 weeks for these cases. We anticipate being back on target by 31 October 2000.

Mr. Chaytor

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what target has been set for average response times for employment history requests when the new National Insurance Recording System is fully operational; and from what date the target will be applicable. [110086]

Dawn Primarolo

The target will remain at the current 13 weeks from receipt of the request.