HC Deb 21 January 2002 vol 378 cc643-4W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many tax units in 2001–02 will be on(a) twice, (b) five times and (c) 10 times average earnings or more; [26207]

(2) how many and what proportion of taxpayers earn less than (a) three-quarters and (b) two-thirds of median male earnings in the most recent year for which figures are available. [26266]

Dawn Primarolo

Available estimates for the numbers of individual taxpayers in 2000–01 and proportions in the income ranges specified are given.

Employee taxpayers in 2000–01 with earnings in the range Number Proportion of all employee taxpayers
Over twice average earnings (million) 1.04
Over five times average earnings (thousand) 150
Over 10 times average earnings (thousand) 14
Less than three-quarters of median male earnings (million) 10.2 48
Less than two-thirds of median male earnings (million) 11.7 55

Average earnings and male median earnings are based on the New Earnings Survey first release.

Estimates are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes and consistent with the November 2001 pre-Budget report.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the net change in the annual income of a married couple with one earner and two school age children living in rented accommodation for which they pay average council house rent and average rates of a 1 per cent. cut in the basic rate of tax before and after taking account of any change in entitlement to housing benefit and WFTC, assuming that the earner is on(a) half and (b) one and a half times average earnings. [26215]

Dawn Primarolo

A married couple with one earner on half median earnings (£9,800 per annum) and two school age children would benefit by £34 a year from a 1 per cent. cut in the basic rate of income tax before taking account of working families tax credit and by £15 a year after taking account of working families tax credit. On one and a half times median earnings (£29,400 per annum) this family would not be eligible for working families tax credit and would benefit by £230 a year from a 1 per cent. cut in the basic rate of income tax. A single earner family with two school age children and paying average council house rents would not be eligible for housing benefit on either half median earnings or one and a half times median earnings.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the(a) average and (b) median income is of (i) married couples and (ii) single people, whether liable to income tax or not, in 2001–02; and what percentage of (a) married couples and (b) single people fall below the average for their group. [26285]

Malcolm Wicks

I have been asked to reply.

The information requested is not available.