A WARRINGTON MP has pressed the Government over minimum wage payments by a national delivery firm.
Charlotte Nichols submitted a written question to the Department for Business and Trade regarding minimum wage payments at Evri.
It comes after the Warrington North MP previously asked the Government what discussions it has had with Evri and other delivery companies on leaving parcels unattended on doorsteps.
In her latest question, Ms Nichols asked the Secretary of State for Business and Trade whether he has had recent discussions with Evri on paying their workers the minimum wage.
A written response was provided by Kate Dearden, who currently holds the Government post of Parliamentary under-secretary of state for the Department for Business and Trade.
She replied: “The passing of the Employment Rights Act, and measures such as the creation of the Fair Work Agency, will create an economy that balances flexibility and security.
“In doing so, we will ensure an environment where working people and businesses can succeed together.
“We are committed to strengthening rights and protections to help the self-employed thrive in good quality self-employment.
“We have already announced a package of measures to tackle late payments for small businesses and the self-employed, including a new Fair Payment Code.
“Self-employed individuals are not entitled to the minimum wage, and Evri couriers are self-employed.
“As such, no discussions have taken place with Evri specifically on the issue of the minimum wage.”
Evri also issued a statement on the written question and commented that all of its workers, fully employed and self-employed, are paid above the national living wage.
It also said that couriers are able to work flexibly, choosing the size of the round.
An Evri spokesman said: “While we have received no direct contact from Charlotte Nichols MP or her office in relation to this, our dedicated public affairs team has reached out in response.
“Our couriers are at the heart of our business, and we are proud to have an industry leading and GMB backed pay scheme for our regular self-employed couriers, which offers pensions, as well as holiday and sick pay.
“Evri couriers generate earnings significantly above the national living wage, with average earnings exceeding £20-per-hour, and our model was approved by HMRC after a multi-year review.”