Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Living Wage Foundation's "Living Hours" standard; and what steps they are taking to encourage employers to adopt that standard.

The Government commends employers who are able to go above the requirements of minimum wage and employment legislation. However, the Living Wage Foundation are clear that their measures are voluntary.

Our statutory minimum wage rates are based on the expert and independent advice of the Low Pay Commission; the LPC takes into account the impacts on workers, businesses and the wider economy to ensure a fair balance is struck.