Employment

Debate between Lord Christopher and Baroness Altmann

Wednesday 4th November 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Altmann]

I think the issues for the steel industry go wider than that; there are macroeconomic factors as well.

[Lord Christopher (Lab)]

My Lords, I listened carefully to the figures that the noble Baroness gave. Of course, they sound very creditable. However, can she comment on the fact that six million—about 23% of the workforce—are below the current acknowledged living wage?

[Baroness Altmann]

When Labour was in power, it did not increase the national minimum wage to the national living wage, and pay is increasing rapidly. There has been a 3% increase in average earnings, the fastest rate for many years.