Question
Asked by
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Myners on 8 July (WA 173–4), what percentage of the respective populations of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (a) paid income tax in 2006–07 and 2007–08, and (b) are projected to pay income tax in 2008–09 and 2009–10. [HL5156]
The estimated proportions of the total population in each country with an income tax liability are shown in the table.
England (%) Wales (%) Scotland (%) Northern Ireland (%) 2006-07 52 50 53 45 2007-08 53 50 53 45 2008-09 50 48 51 43 2009-10 47 45 49 40
These figures are based on estimates for the number of taxpayers in 2006-07 and projections for later years prepared by HM Revenue & Customs, and the population estimates for mid-2006 and mid-2007, and projections for later years, prepared by the Office for National Statistics.
The decline of the proportion of people with an income tax liability in recent years is mainly due to above indexation increases to personal allowances. Country variation reflects levels of employment.