§ Chris RuaneTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many adults aged over 25 years were on low rates of pay by region, expressed as(a) a percentage and (b) the total number, ranked in descending order according to percentages for the latest date for which figures are available; [30580]
(2) how many low paid adults aged 16 to 21 years there are, broken down by region, expressed as (a) a percentage and (b) total numbers, ranked in descending order according to percentage figures for the latest date available. [30614]
§ Ruth KellyThe information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
Letter from Len Cook to Chris Ruane, dated 30 January 2002:
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent questions about the number of adults aged 16 to 21 and over 25 on low rates of pay. (30614, 30580).360WThe estimated number of jobs in the United Kingdom with pay below National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates in April 2001 was 320,000. Of these, 50,000 relate to 18–21 year olds and 270,000 relate to 22 year olds and over.The National Statistics website contains estimates for the numbers and proportions of jobs paid at below NMW rates for Government Office Regions for all persons, however, numbers are suppressed for some regions because of the small size of the estimates. Figures are posted at: http://www.statistics.gov.uldthemes/labour_market/pay_and_earnings/measuring_low_pay.aspNo estimates at regional level are available for the age groups requested.