Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to tackle the widening pay gap between subcontracted NHS workers and public sector workers.

All organisations must ensure that all employees receive at least the National Living Wage, which in 2022/23 is a minimum of £9.50 per hour based on the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission. Independent organisations can develop and adopt the terms and conditions of employment, including pay, which can attract and retain the appropriate staff. However, we would expect that employers would determine pay which reflects the skills and experience of staff.