PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Shipping: Minimum Wage (5 June 2014)

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what resources will be available for targeted enforcement of the National Minimum Wage amongst employers in the maritime sector in the next two financial years.

Asked by:
John McDonnell (Independent)

The Government takes the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) very seriously. HMRC review every complaint that is referred to them by the Pay and Work Rights Helpline (0800 917 2368) including complaints concerning those in the maritime sector. In addition, HMRC conduct targeted compliance activity based on data received from various sources and robust risk assessment processes, to identify the sectors and employers across the United Kingdom, who are considered more likely to be failing to pay NMW.

The Service Level Agreement between departments is currently under review. Resources have been agreed for 2014/15 between HMRC and BIS to cover the wide range of enforcement services that HMRC provide. The budget for enforcement activity is considered annually. The agreement does not currently cover the provision of enforcement services by reference to particular sectors.

Answered by:
Mr David Gauke (Independent)
16 June 2014