Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how much has been spent on developing and promoting the website www.livingwage.gov.uk to date; and how much of that expenditure is related to the optimisation of search engine rankings on Google.

The amount spent on developing the website www.livingwage.gov.uk is £21,860.00

The amount spent to date on promoting the website www.livingwage.gov.uk is £7,000.00, which covers keyword searches for information on the national living wage by business and worker audiences online.

There has been no expenditure relating to the optimisation of search engine rankings.

It is important that businesses and workers receive timely information in advance of the changes in pay entitlements. Promoting the website has supported government in taking early action to remind businesses of the new £7.20 rate for employees aged 25 and over, as well as the important steps they should take to be ready.