Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Departments are taking to help ensure that garment factories in Leicester East constituency are (a) inspected effectively and (b) meet legal obligations on (i) pay, (ii) safety and (ii) working conditions.

HMRC enforces the National Minimum Wage on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade. Where HMRC identify other risks such as potential Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking, HMRC will make referrals to the bodies with the powers to investigate.

Similarly, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will respond to intelligence about unsafe working practices that they receive from a variety of sources including workers and other agencies. This follow up includes inspection where it is the most effective form of intervention.