Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many permanent staff members are employed by HM Revenue and Customs to undertake national minimum wage inspection activity.

The Government is determined that everyone who is entitled to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) receives it. Anyone who feels they have been underpaid NMW should contact the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) review all complaints that are referred to them.

There are currently 232 staff working in National Minimum Wage for HMRC, up from 171 at the start of 2014/15. The Government takes the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage very seriously and has increased funding from £8m in 2013/14 to £13.2m in 2015/16 allowing for around 278 staff to be in post by the end of 2015/16.