Asked by: Helen Jones (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an estimate of the cost to businesses of their paying the adult minimum wage rate to people under 25 years of age who are not in training but are doing the same job as people 25 years of age or older.
Answered by Margot James
The Government will publish an impact assessment on the increase in the National Living Wage and the increases in the National Minimum Wage rates announced at Autumn Statement in due course.
The Low Pay Commission also evaluates the impact of the various rates upon both employers and workers, drawing on economic, labour market and pay analysis, independent research and stakeholder evidence. Their report can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-minimum-wage-low-pay-commission-autumn-2016-report.
From April 2017 all National Minimum Wage rates, and the National Living Wage, will be increased by more than inflation. The main rate (for 21 – 24 year olds) is expected, at that point, to be at its highest ever level in real terms.
Asked by: Helen Jones (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for what reason employees at Sellafield Ltd are treated as being in the private sector for pension purposes and are regarded as being in the public sector for the purposes of a cap on exit payments.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government has legislated for a cap on public sector exit payments via the Enterprise Act 2016, as promised in the manifesto. The cap will apply to public sector organisations in line with the Office of National Statistics (ONS) classifications; Sellafield Limited is classified as part of the public sector by the ONS. Sellafield Limited receives the majority of its funding from the Exchequer; it is therefore important to ensure that any exit payments are fair, proportionate and represent value for money for the taxpayer.
The specific pension arrangements for Sellafield Limited employees are a matter for Sellafield Limited and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. Government policy on public service pension schemes, as set out in Public Service Pensions: Good Pensions that Last (2011), is to move away from final-salary based schemes. The Government is therefore considering how best to apply public service pension reform policy to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority estate whilst being mindful of the particular circumstances of the workforce, in particular at Sellafield Limited.
Asked by: Helen Jones (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what representations he has received on the application of the cap on public sector exit payments to employees of Sellafield Ltd; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Jesse Norman
In relation to Sellafield Limited employees, my rt. hon Friend the Secretary of State has received representations, including from employees, employee representatives and Members of Parliament.
The Government has legislated for a cap on public sector exit payments via the Enterprise Act 2016, as promised in the manifesto. The cap will apply to public sector organisations in line with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) classifications; Sellafield Limited is classified as part of the public sector by the ONS.
Asked by: Helen Jones (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will discuss with Marks and Spencer PLC its plans to introduce changes to pay and conditions for staff working at nights and weekends associated with the introduction of the new national minimum wage.
Answered by Margot James
Provided that they obey the law and pay their workers at least the National Living Wage where it applies, it is for employers to decide how they manage increases in their wage bill.
But it is my clear view that all employers look to implement the National Living Wage in the spirit in which it was introduced. The Government believes that it is essential for employers to ensure that their reward packages are competitive, in order to retain and develop the staff who are fundamental to their success.
Asked by: Helen Jones (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to ensure that companies do not offset the costs of paying the new minimum wage by reducing rates of pay for (a) some workers and (b) night and weekend working.
Answered by Margot James
We recognise that employers will respond to the National Living Wage in a variety of ways depending on their circumstances, but the Government does not consider it acceptable for companies to use it as an excuse to cut staff benefits.
In a growing economy, the National Living Wage should represent an opportunity to invest in talented staff and improve productivity. Employers need to ensure their pay and reward packages are competitive to retain and develop the people they need for their business.
Asked by: Helen Jones (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the potential effect of the introduction of the new minimum wage on (a) evening and weekend working pay rates for women and (b) gender pay equality.
Answered by Margot James
The Government has published an impact assessment on the introduction of the National Living Wage here: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2016/3/pdfs/ukia_20160003_en.pdf
In addition, more recent HM Treasury analysis[1] shows that the National Living Wage is expected to eradicate the gender pay gap for the lowest paid (at the 10th percentile) by 2020.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/today-britain-gets-a-pay-rise-thanks-to-the-national-living-wage
Asked by: Helen Jones (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many people in (a) Warrington and (b) Warrington North constituency are in receipt of student maintenance grants.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
Statistics showing the number of English applicants awarded Maintenance Grants are published annually by the Student Loans Company (SLC) in the Statistical First Release ‘Student Support for Higher Education in England’.
http://www.slc.co.uk/official-statistics/financial-support-awarded/england-higher-education.aspx
Data provided by the SLC indicates that there were: (a) 1,720 applicants from Warrington, and (b) 760 applicants from Warrington North, awarded Maintenance Grants in the academic year 2014/15. An awarded applicant will only receive payments once SLC have received confirmation from the applicant’s provider that the student has been registered on the course.
Asked by: Helen Jones (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many students from Warrington North constituency are in receipt of maintenance grants while pursuing a course in higher education.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
Statistics showing the number of English applicants awarded Maintenance Grants are published annually by the Student Loans Company (SLC) in the Statistical First Release ‘Student Support for Higher Education in England’.
http://www.slc.co.uk/official-statistics/financial-support-awarded/england-higher-education.aspx
Data provided by the SLC indicates that there were 760 applicants from Warrington North Parliamentary Constituency awarded Maintenance Grants in the academic year 2014/15. An awarded applicant will only receive payments once SLC have received confirmation from the applicant’s provider that the student has been registered on the course.