HC Deb 30 November 2000 vol 357 c948W
Mr. Robertson

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer in the 2001–02 tax year of re-introducing the married couple's allowance, without its related allowances, at(a) the April 1993 rate up-rated to 2000–01 prices, (b) the April 1995 rate up-rated to 2000–01 prices and (c) the April 1998 rate up-rated to 2000–01 prices. [140342]

Dawn Primarolo

[holding answer 27 November 2000]: The full year costs of re-introducing the married couple's allowance in 2001–02 would be, approximately:

  1. (a) £5.0 billion;
  2. (b) £2.6 billion; and
  3. (c) £2.6 billion.

These estimates are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes and are consistent with the November 2000 pre-Budget Report.