First, I point out that those on the lowest pay have seen their real wages rise by 7% since 2015, which is the highest level for some time. Also, it is women who are more likely to be in work, with record levels of employment. We have also given additional flexibility to public services to ensure that they can recruit and retain.

In 2010, there was a significant gap between wages in the public and private sectors whereby public sector workers received an average of 5.76% higher pay. Today, wages are comparable, and when we take into account more generous pension benefits, there is an additional 10% pension premium in the public sector.

It seems that the right hon. Gentleman cannot take yes for an answer. There is not a public sector pay cap. We have said that individual Secretaries of State will be responsible for making proposals on their workforces dependent on specific circumstances. We are facing very different issues in the NHS and in the armed forces. What is important is that we look at the evidence and make sure that we can recruit and

retain the best possible workers in the public sector, but we also need to make sure that we do not price out of the market people working in the private sector.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

The right hon. Gentleman will know that the disability employment gap has been closing under both this Government and the coalition Government. We recognise that we need to do more, and I think the public sector can do more. Part of that is identifying particular roles that individuals can take up. The Government are picking up the pace on the issue and we are in a much better situation than the one that existed under the previous Labour Government.

It is our policy in central Government to pay undisputed invoices within five days.

There is already a requirement in central Government contract terms for contractors to pay their sub-contractors within 30 days. The Mystery Shopper scheme enables any firm, including all sub-contractors, to bring inappropriate practice to the attention of Cabinet Office. Such cases are then investigated; appropriate action taken and the results published.

Construction subcontractors are able to report instances of poor payment practice pertaining to work on a public contract through the Mystery Shopper scheme. The scheme caters for those subcontractors that prefer to provide information on an anonymous basis.

After May 2010 this Government introduced extensive reforms of public procurement to streamline the process and to create a more level playing field where SMEs can more easily compete for and win business. As part of this work we have instructed Departments to monitor prime contractors' performance against the 30 day commitment to pay sub-contractors as part of the contract management process. We have also introduced a 'Mystery Shopper' service which allows us to investigate instances of late payment and we publish these cases on our website.

I am pleased to say that on 13 November, the National Specialist Contractors Council paid tribute to the work done by the Government in ensuring prompt payment in construction by naming the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), as one of its Fair Payment Champions.

This recognises the effectiveness of the steps we are taking to ensure sub-contractors are paid on time, such as using Project Bank Accounts to make direct payments to firms down to tier 3 of its supply chains. Where Project Bank Accounts are not used, we specify in contract terms that contractors should pay their sub-contractors within 30 days, in line with the Government's Prompt Payment Code.

There is already a requirement in central Government contract terms for contractors to pay their sub-contractors within 30 days, and Departments are required to monitor prime contractors' performance against this commitment as part of the contract management process.

Additionally, we have pioneered the use of Project bank accounts through which Government makes direct payments to firms down to tier 3 of its supply chains.

At a meeting in June, I stressed the importance of this policy to the chief executive officers of some of the most significant suppliers to government and our Crown representative team is encouraging prime contractors to pay sub-contractors more quickly than the 30 days commitment on a voluntary basis.

Sub-contractors are encouraged to use the 'Mystery Shopper' service to report problems including delayed payment and we regularly publish investigated cases on the Cabinet Office website.

There is already a requirement in central Government contract terms for contractors to pay their sub-contractors within 30 days, and Departments are required to monitor prime contractors' performance against this commitment as part of the contract management process.

Additionally, we have pioneered the use of Project bank accounts through which Government makes direct payments to firms down to tier 3 of its supply chains.

At a meeting in June, I stressed the importance of this policy to the chief executive officers of some of the most significant suppliers to government and our Crown representative team is encouraging prime contractors to pay sub-contractors more quickly than the 30 days commitment on a voluntary basis.

Sub-contractors are encouraged to use the 'Mystery Shopper' service to report problems including delayed payment and we regularly publish investigated cases on the Cabinet Office website.

There is already a requirement in central Government contract terms for contractors to pay their sub-contractors within 30 days, and Departments are required to monitor prime contractors' performance against this commitment as part of the contract management process.

Additionally, we have pioneered the use of Project bank accounts through which Government makes direct payments to firms down to tier 3 of its supply chains.

At a meeting in June, I stressed the importance of this policy to the chief executive officers of some of the most significant suppliers to government and our Crown representative team is encouraging prime contractors to pay sub-contractors more quickly than the 30 days commitment on a voluntary basis.

Sub-contractors are encouraged to use the 'Mystery Shopper' service to report problems including delayed payment and we regularly publish investigated cases on the Cabinet Office website.

There is already a requirement in central Government contract terms for contractors to pay their sub-contractors within 30 days, and Departments are required to monitor prime contractors' performance against this commitment as part of the contract management process.

Additionally, we have pioneered the use of Project bank accounts through which Government makes direct payments to firms down to tier 3 of its supply chains.

At a meeting in June, I stressed the importance of this policy to the chief executive officers of some of the most significant suppliers to government and our Crown representative team is encouraging prime contractors to pay sub-contractors more quickly than the 30 days commitment on a voluntary basis.

Sub-contractors are encouraged to use the 'Mystery Shopper' service to report problems including delayed payment and we regularly publish investigated cases on the Cabinet Office website.

There is already a requirement in central Government contract terms for contractors to pay their sub-contractors within 30 days, and Departments are required to monitor prime contractors' performance against this commitment as part of the contract management process.

Additionally, we have pioneered the use of Project bank accounts through which Government makes direct payments to firms down to tier 3 of its supply chains.

At a meeting in June, I stressed the importance of this policy to the chief executive officers of some of the most significant suppliers to government and our Crown representative team is encouraging prime contractors to pay sub-contractors more quickly than the 30 days commitment on a voluntary basis.

Sub-contractors are encouraged to use the 'Mystery Shopper' service to report problems including delayed payment and we regularly publish investigated cases on the Cabinet Office website.