7. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the benefits to the Welsh economy of the living wage? OAQ51516

Yes. The living wage can provide benefits to the economy, to businesses and to individuals. We're taking action to promote the benefits of adopting the real living wage to employers. I think it's worth pointing out that a more equal society is a more cohesive and a happier society.

Cabinet Secretary, can I thank you for that statement and also recognise the hard work that Welsh Government has been doing with regard to the national living wage? Can I draw attention to the concerns that there are that it's not just about the direct engagement of Welsh Government in terms of the promotion of the national living wage, but it is also through the supply chain, through procurement, through all those areas where Welsh Government has influence that we actually need to bring people together to buy into the ethos and the ethics of what is essentially fair work and fair pay around the concept of the national living wage? Could the Cabinet Secretary perhaps make a statement and outline how he sees that policy developing and the role of Welsh Government in achieving that?

Absolutely, and I'd reiterate that the Welsh Government is committed to taking action on the living wage and will continue to promote adoption of the living wage across the Welsh economy. In March, I believe it was, last year, we introduced the code of practice on ethical employment in supply chains. This code commits public, private and third sector organisations to a set of actions that tackle illegal and unfair employment practices. All organisations that receive funding from Welsh Government, either directly or via grants or contracts, will be expected to sign up to the code, and other organisations in Wales are of course encouraged to do so. In addition, through the economic action plan, and in particular the economic contract, we are determined to see the adoption of fair work practices take place across the workforce.

Finally, question 8—Mohammad Asghar.