Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she (a) is taking and (b) plans to take steps to encourage businesses to pay the real living wage.

The National Living Wage (NLW) will increase to £11.44 on 1 April and be extended to workers over 21. It is reaching two-thirds of median earnings, meeting our commitment to end low hourly pay for those eligible.

The Government commends employers who are able to go beyond the legal minimum. However, the ability to do so varies across sector and region.

Unlike other voluntary rates of pay, the statutory NLW is based on the advice of the Low Pay Commission, which takes into account the impact on business and the wider economy, as well as the living standards of workers.