A crackdown on exploitation in the workplace will see the launch of a consultation on how to make full use of powers to jail the worst employers.
Director of Labour Market Enforcement Sir David Metcalf has published his introductory report on how he will work with the government’s enforcement bodies, including HMRC’s National Minimum Wage (NMW) enforcement team.
He has outlined his plan which looks to better tackle illegal practices, identify how best to ensure large employers’ supply chains do not breach labour market rules, and to review the effectiveness of current enforcement actions.
The report was published alongside the latest NMW and Living Wage enforcement statistics. The figures revealed that in 2016 to 2017, HMRC identified £10.9 million in back pay for 98,150 workers – a 69% increase year on year. In addition, businesses that failed to pay at least the NMW were fined £3.9 million.
Business Minister Margot James said: “While the majority of employers create a fair and safe environment for their workers, there are a small minority of rogue employers who break the law and we will use all enforcement measures at our disposal to crack down on labour market abuses.”
