Low Pay: Resolution Foundation Report

Lord Bishop of Peterborough Excerpts

Tuesday 11th November 2014 Lords Chamber

[The Lord Bishop of Peterborough]

My Lords, now that the economy is picking up, will the Minister comment on the living wage and on whether the Government believe that the minimum wage really is enough?

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

The right reverend Prelate is right to bring this subject up. The minimum wage is a minimum as a catch-all; the Government support people and businesses paying above that, if they can pay the living wage, but only when it is affordable and not at the expense of jobs. In BIS, the department I represent, we have recently increased the pay of the lowest-paid workers in the department so that everyone receives the living wage. We support that as long as it is not at the expense of jobs.