Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many and what proportion of (a) her Department's staff and (b) staff working for companies contracted by her Department are paid less than the Living Wage.

My Department does not directly employ any members of staff on an hourly rate below that set by the Living Wage Foundation.

In my Department’s Belfast office, there are 21 staff (100%) working for companies contracted by the Department. Of these staff, 20 are paid less than the hourly Living Wage set by the Living Wage Foundation for employees outside London, but are paid above the minimum wage.

My Department’s London office does not have any direct contracts with companies. All staff such as cleaners are provided by the building management company with whom we have a lease and arrangement to provide such services.