HC Deb 24 July 2002 vol 389 cc1169-70W
Mr. Neil Turner

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what proportion of the population in(a) Wigan MBC, (b) the North West Region and (c) England had an income of (i) up to twice, (ii) up to five times and (iii) more than five times the national average in each of the past 10 years; [71898]

(2) what proportion of the total relevant population were higher rate tax payers in (a) Wigan MBC, (b) the North West Region and (c) England for each of the last 10 years. [71897]

Dawn Primarolo

Available estimates are in the tables.

Number of higher rate taxpayers1 as a percentage of the total population' for the respective geographical areas
Wigan North West3 England
1995–96 1.5 2.5 3.8
1996–97 1.7 2.5 3.7
1997–98 1.4 2.5 3.8
1998–99 1.4 2.8 4.2
1999–2000 1.9 3.1 4.4

Number of individuals4 with total income up to twice GB average earnings5 as a percentage6 of the total population2 for the respective geographical areas
Wigan North West3 England
1995–96 99.5 98.6 97.7
1996–97 99.3 98.5 97.7
1997–98 99.3 98.6 97.6
1998–99 99.4 98.4 97.4
1999–2000 99.1 98.3 97.3

Number of individuals 4 with total income up to five times GB average earnings 5 as a percentage of the total population 2 for the respective geographical areas
Wigan North West 1 England
1995–96 99.9 99.9 99.7
1996–97 99.9 99.8 99.7
1997–98 99.9 99.8 99.6
1998–99 100.0 99.8 99.6
1999–2000 99.9 99.8 99.6

Number of individuals 4 with total income over five times GB average earnings 5 as a percentage 6 of the total population 2 for the respective geographical areas
wigan North West 3 England
1995–96 0.1 0.1 0.3
1996–97 0.1 0.2 0.3
1997–98 0.1 0.2 0.14
1998–99 0.0 0.2 0.4
1999–2000 0.1 0.2 0.4
1 Number of higher rate taxpayers based on the Survey of Personal Incomes.
2 Source for population estimates: Official for National Statistics, General Register Office for Scotland, and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.
3 Government Office Region of North West.
4 Number of individuals based on the Survey of Personal Incomes.
5 Average earnings based on the New Earnings Survey.
6 Rounded to 1 decimal place.

Mr. Wiggin

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the annual report of the Statistics Commission. [72457]

Ruth Kelly

The 2001–02 annual report of the Statistics commission, which was released on Wednesday 17 July 2002 is a thorough review of the year's developments and details the Commission's progress in achieving its aims as set out in the "Framework for National Statistics".

Mr. Wiggin

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the independence and quality of national statistics. [72452]

Ruth Kelly

The Government's commitment to improving trust and confidence in official statistics was set out in the National Statistics Framework document which became operational in June 2000. Since then the National Statistician has issued a National Statistics Code of Practice for public consultation. This showed widespread support for the Code of Practice and its aim of promoting and demonstrating the independence and quality of National Statistics. The final version of the Code of Practice will be published shortly.