Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, how many staff of his Department are paid less than the London Living Wage; and what requirements his Department places on contractors to pay the London Living Wage to London-based staff.

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.

No staff directly employed by the Law Officers’ Departments (Attorney General’s Office, Government Legal Department, Crown Prosecution Service, Serious Fraud Office and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate) are paid less than the Real, or London Living Wage for London-based staff. Contractors must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage, or the National Living Wage for workers over 25, in line with statutory requirements, but the London Living Wage is not a requirement.