Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many (a) direct employees, (b) contractors and (c) agency workers who work in his Department and relevant agencies and public bodies receive a wage below that of the (i) UK Real Living Wage outside of Greater London and (ii) London Living Wage inside of Greater London, as determined by the Living Wage Foundation.

The Government is committed to paying a living wage, which is being addressed through the statutory National Living Wage. In April 2022, the National Living Wage increased to £9.50 per hour. By 2024, the Government has committed that the National Living Wage will reach 66% of median earnings in the United Kingdom.

As of 30 June 2022, there were no direct employees in the Department and its executive agencies earning below the Real Living Wage or the London Living Wage. The Department’s arm’s length bodies use the NHS Agenda for Change pay scales, which are determined between the employee and employer, therefore this information is not held centrally.

The Department indirectly employs a number of agency workers and contractors. The rate of pay will be determined by the relevant agency or company, according to the Crown Commercial Service’s minimum pay requirements, which all suppliers must adhere to when negotiating contracts with Government departments.