To translate this page | Diese Seite übersetzen | Traduire cette page | Traduci questa pagina | Traducir esta pagina
Use the general translation tool for other languages Click here

This year heralds a new strategy in the fight to rout out rogue employers who flout the National Minimum Wage regulations. HM Revenue and Customs’ new Dynamic Response Team will work on the most high profile and complicated National Minimum Wage cases faced by HMRC, particularly in areas where employers are using migrant labour to undercut competitors by paying below the minimum wage.

The team is funded from a £70 million Government fund, paid for by a levy on migrant workers, to support those communities that are feeling the impact of migration most strongly.

The team is made-up of highly-trained specialist officers who are committed to providing a rapid response to cases across the UK ensuring that everyone who is entitled to the minimum wage receives it.

“The Government and HMRC are doing more than ever to make sure that those entitled to the Minimum Wage are receiving it," explains Business minister Pat McFadden. "Evasion hurts both workers and responsible employers who play by the rules, so we are stepping up our fight against non payment of the minimum wage.

“The Minimum Wage is a key part of the Government's strategy to establish fairness in the workplace and the benefits of the minimum wage are felt by about one million workers every year, especially women and part-time workers."

There are around 1 million low paid workers who benefit from the minimum wage and since last April HMRC has helped around 14,000 workers re-coup over £3.5 million of wage arrears. This included more than £640,000 alone in the hospitality sector, a sector noted for low levels of pay.
The new team will work with other Government departments and Local Authorities to ensure the most effective action is taken to deal with non-compliant employers, including civil and criminal prosecutions where appropriate.
Communities Secretary John Denham says:

"Tackling the abuse of migrant workers is an important part of building a fair society. Employers undercutting the wages of local workers put unfair pressure on businesses struggling to compete and cause resentment in the community."