[holding answer 20 January 2009]:The estimated saving, in 2009-10 to 2013-14, of removing the second income threshold and applying a consistent taper rate at each of the rates requested, is provided in the following table. No account has been taken of possible behavioural effects.
£ million Taper rate 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 46 per cent. -2,590 -2,670 -2,670 -2,750 -2,810 45 per cent. -2,380 -2,460 -2,460 -2,520 -2,570 44 per cent. -2,160 -2,230 -2,230 -2,280 -2,310 43 per cent. -1,930 -2,000 -1,990 -2,020 -2,040
These changes would not affect the number of claimants eligible for tax credits. However, they would increase the number of claimants with awards reduced to zero.