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8 Dec 2005 : Column 1448W—continued
Income Growth
Mr. Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average percentage increase was in net income in the UK over the past three years; and what the rate of inflation was over the same period. [34678]
John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 7 December 2005:
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking (a) what the average percentage increase was in net income in the UK over the past three years and (b) what the rate of inflation was over the same period, (34678)
(a) It has been assumed that the question relates to gross disposable income of the household sector. The latest information available for gross disposable income is for the second quarter of 20057 (2005Q2). The growth in this series over the three years to 2005Q2 was 12.4%; equivalent to an average of 4.0% per annum.
The series quoted is gross disposable income for the combined household and non-profit institutions, serving-households (NPISH) sectors. The accounts for the household and NPISH sectors are currently combined; separate estimates are not available.
(b) In the UK, there are two main measures of inflation, the Consumer Prices Index (GPI) and the Retail Prices Index (RPI). The Government's inflation target is based on the CPI. The Bank
- of England's Monetary Policy Committee sets interest rates to meet this target. The RPI is the more familiar measure of inflation. Tax allowances, state benefits, pensions and many other payments are often revised in line with this index.
The figures are published each month on the National Statistics website, www.statistics.gov.uk, in a First Release, on a Tuesday about a month, after the index date. The publication dates are announced six months in advance.
The most recently available three-year period is for October 2002—October 2005, During this period, the CPI increased by 5.0percent while the RPI increased by 6.9 percent.
The-figures for the last three years are shown in full in Annex A. Figures are presented for both the CPI and the RPI. Monthly figures and the most recently available annual averages for the last three years are presented.
Source:
National Statistics Consumer price indices First Release, 15November 2005
8 Dec 2005 : Column 1450W
Interim Death Certificates
Mrs. Betty Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance his Department has given to financial institutions on the acceptability of interim death certificates in permitting access by next-of-kin to funds held in the name of the deceased. [34956]
Dawn Primarolo: No guidance has been given to financial institutions by the Treasury on the acceptability of interim death certificates in permitting access by next-of-kin to funds held in the name of the deceased.
Low-income Families
John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will encourage the use of credit unions among families on low incomes; and if he will make a statement. [35129]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Government welcome the role credit unions play in promoting financial inclusion and recognises their contribution to choice and diversity in the financial services sector.
Measures announced at this PBR, will facilitate an expansion in the use of credit unions among individuals and families on low incomes. In particular, the maximum rate that credit unions can charge on loans will be increased from 1 per cent. a month to 2 per cent. a month.
The new rate will allow credit unions to develop a more risk-based approach to lending, enabling them to offer affordable credit to more people on low incomes who currently rely on high rate lenders.
The Government have also announced changes that will enable credit unions to offer cash ISAs to their members. This follows changes announced at Budget 2005 to allow credit unions to offer child trust fund accounts. These measures complement a £36 million growth fund for credit unions and other community-based lenders, announced at PBR 2004, and to be administered by the Department for Work and Pensions from mid-2006.
Ministerial Travel
Bob Russell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions since 7 July he has used the London underground in connection with his official duties. [35017]
John Healey: The Chancellor regularly uses public transport in connection with his official duties. It would be inappropriate to disclose details on security grounds.
Older Workers
Mr. Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) men and (b) women aged 50 to 65 years are available for work; and how many are employed (i)full-time and (ii) part-time. [34965]
John Healey:
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
8 Dec 2005 : Column 1451W
Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 8 December 2005:
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about people aged 50–65 and their economic activity.
The attached table provides available information showing the
- number of people aged 50–64 who are in employment and working full or part time, also those who are unemployed. The table covers the twelve month period ending in August 2005.
These estimates from the Labour Force Survey are, as with any sample survey, subject to sampling variability.
(1)For seeking work and available to start, those people unemployed have been given.
(2)Includes people who did not state whether working full or part time.
Source:
ONS—Labour Force Survey
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