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 who are paid less than the Living Wage are (i) women and (ii) men.

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

Of the staff working for companies contracted by my Department in our Belfast office who are paid less than the living wage, 95% are males and 5% are female.

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.