Written question asked by Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 20 October 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 29 October 1999. It was answered by Baroness Primarolo (Labour) on Friday, 29 October 1999 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate how many, and what percentage of, pensioners paid income tax in (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99 and (c) 1999-2000; and if he will estimate the number who will pay tax in 2000-01. - Table given.

Answer: Mr. Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate how many, and what percentage of, pensioners paid income tax in (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99 and (c) 1999-2000; and if he will estimate the number who will pay tax in 2000-01. [95733] Dawn Primarolo: The numbers and percentages of pensioners paying tax in 1997-98, and those estimated to pay tax in 1998-99 and 1999-2000, 2000-01, are as follows: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Year Number of pensioner taxpayers (million) Percentage of all pensioners 1997-98 4.0 37 1998-99 4.1 39 1999-2000 3.8 35 2000-01 4.0 37 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Notes: 1. The numbers are based on the 1997 Survey of Personal Incomes. 2. Pensioners have been defined as women aged 60 and over and men aged 65 and over.

Secondary information