Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps he is taking to ensure work provides a sufficient, secure and reliable income for workers in Wales.

This Government is committed to raising living standards across every part of the UK. We are boosting productivity and regional growth by reforming the skills system, expanding apprenticeships, and delivering the Youth Guarantee so more people can access better-paid jobs.

We continue to raise pay through annual increases to the National Living Wage (NLW) and National Minimum Wage (NMW), in line with the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission. On 1 April 2026, the NLW increased by 4.1% to £12.71 per hour for eligible workers aged 21 and over, while the NMW rose by 8.5% to £10.85 per hour. These increases provided a direct pay rise to around 140,000 workers in Wales.