Average Earnings

Mr. Gauke
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average weekly income of the lowest earning decile was in (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2005-06.

Mr. Jim Murphy
The median weekly equivalised income for the lowest decile in 2004-05 was £144 (before housing costs) and £91 (after housing costs). This is expressed in 2005-06 prices.

The information requested for 2005-06 will be shown in the revised HBAI 2005-06 release.

The Secretary of State made a written statement to Parliament on 23 April 2007, Official Report, column 20WS, on why the statistics are being revised.