ABSTRACT
Twenty-three per cent of the national income is levied during the year in the form of direct and indirect taxation and local rates. An increasing proportion of the revenue is being raised in the form of indirect taxation. The State and local authorities are an important source of saving, particularly the latter, who now devote £57 millions a year to capital repayments, and this figure is increasing.
A working-class family of five persons pays on the average £16: 18s. a year in indirect taxation. Ten years ago the figure was £18: 14s.; the fall is accounted for by the lower average consumption of beer. Taxation falling on the working classes is £338 millions a year, and the value of public services directly beneficial to them is £429 millions a year.
