Written questions, answers and statements

Living Wage

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Question for Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

UIN 170707, tabled on 5 September 2018

Question

Chris Ruane
Labour
Vale of Clwyd
Commons

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will increase the national living wage to the rate recommended by the Living Wage Commission.

Answer

Kelly Tolhurst
Conservative
Rochester and Strood
Commons

Answered on

10 September 2018

Through the National Living Wage, since it was introduced in 2016, the Government has boosted incomes for the lowest paid by £2,000.

We have asked the Low Pay Commission (LPC) to recommend the rate of the National Living Wage such that it reaches 60 per cent of median earnings in 2020, subject to sustained economic growth. In making their recommendations, the LPC draw on a wide range of independent research and stakeholder evidence – including an assessment of the affordability to businesses.

The Government is responsible for setting minimum pay thresholds - and strongly supports employers that choose to pay in excess of the statutory minima.

Answered by

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
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