§ 15. Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Department of Trade and Industry regarding abatements to the national minimum wage to take account of board and lodging in the tourist trade. [149401]
§ Janet AndersonMy Department maintains a regular dialogue with the Department of Trade and Industry over the application of the national minimum wage to the tourism industry. For example, we discussed the Government's recent evidence to the Low Pay Commission. Our discussions have included the level of the weekly offset allowed to recognise the benefit of the provision of accommodation. The Government have asked the Low Pay Commission to consider whether there is a case for making any change to the maximum accommodation offset.