To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing (a) the number of working heads, (b) dependants and (c) families with children facing marginal tax and benefit withdrawal rates in excess of 50 per cent. in the manner of his answer of 23 January, Official Report, column 248, to the hon. Member for Hornchurch.
The information requested is in the table.
| Numbers with marginal deduction rates within each range (thousands) Great Britain | |||
| Per cent. | Families with children | Couples and single | Total |
| 100 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 90 to 99 | 55 | 0 | 55 |
| 80 to 89 | 130 | 20 | 150 |
| 1979–80 cash(£ million) | 1979–80 at 1991–92 prices(£ million) | 1991–92 cash(£ million) | Real terms percentage increase | |
| Elderly people | 10,130 | 23,554 | 31,446 | 33·5 |
| Sick and disabled people | 2,779 | 6,460 | 13,333 | 106·4 |
| —short-term sick | 680 | 1,581 | 1,079 | -31·8 |
Per cent.
| Families with children
| Couples and single
| Total
|
| 70 to 79 | 140 | 55 | 195 |
| 60 to 69 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| 50 to 59 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Figures are based on pooled family expenditure survey data, uprated to 1991–92 prices, taxes and benefit levels.
Calculated for benefit units in receipt of income-related benefits where at least one partner works 24 hours a week of more. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5,000. Figures may not sum due to rounding.