Wednesday 4th November 2015

(9 years ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Altmann Portrait Baroness Altmann
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I think the issues for the steel industry go wider than that; there are macroeconomic factors as well.

Lord Christopher Portrait Lord Christopher (Lab)
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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 Portrait Baroness Altmann
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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.