| answer text |
<p>99.81% of HMRC's staff are paid above the living wage.</p><p> </p><p>HM Treasury
fully complies with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EU" target="_blank">EU</a>
procurement directives and awards contracts on the basis of the best value for money
for the taxpayer. Nevertheless, we have encouraged contractors to commit to paying
a living wage and expect all employers to pay at least the national minimum wage.</p><p>The
Government supports businesses that choose to pay the Living Wage however the Government's
main policy on wages is the National Minimum Wage, which has continued to protect
the relative wages of the low paid. This is independently set by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Pay_Commission"
target="_blank">Low Pay Commission</a> at a level that maximises their wages without
reducing employment prospect. It is for workers and employers to decide the level
of wages above the minimum wage based on current circumstances. This includes the
Government as a procurer and an employer. Over 95%, around 20 million employees earn
above the minimum wage and the <a title="The term "majority" is used in
two ways in Parliament. Firstly a Government..." href="http://www.theyworkforyou.com/glossary/?gl=37"
target="_blank">majority</a> of public sector workers currently earn above the Living
Wage.</p><p> </p><p>Under the Data Protection Act we are unable to provide a full
table breaking down the proportion of staff in each constituency being paid below
the Living Wage.</p><p> </p>
|
|
