Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many staff in her Department are paid less than the London Living Wage; and what requirements her Department places on contractors to pay the London Living Wage to London-based staff.
The total number of civil servants in Department for Work and Pensions earning below the London Living Wage rate of £10.55 per hour was 13 as at 25/10/2019.
This government is committed to paying people a decent living wage, which is being addressed through the statutory National Living Wage. In April 2019, the National Living Wage increased to £8.21 per hour, handing a full-time worker a further £690 annual pay rise. By 2024 the National Living Wage will rise to £10.50 per hour, reaching 66% of median UK earnings. The scope will be expanded to everyone aged 21 and over and is expected to benefit over 4 million low paid workers.
The Government will always award contracts on the basis of the best value for money for the taxpayer.