HC Deb 14 June 2004 vol 422 c726W
Chris Ruane

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the change in income resulting from tax and benefit measures was in real terms for the lowest income decile of families in each year since 1997, expressed in each case as a percentage change in relation to 1997 base figures. [175132]

Mr. Pond

The information is not available in the format requested and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

However, as a result of personal direct tax and benefit measures introduced by this Government since 1997, in 2004–05, households in the bottom tenth of the income distribution will have, gained, on average, £1,900 a year in real terms.