Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what criteria is used to establish whether a sector is high-risk in terms of non-compliance with the national minimum wage; and which sectors are so defined.

The Government takes the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage very seriously. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) review every complaint that is referred to them by the Pay and Work Rights Helpline.

Within that obligation, HMRC work to priorities agreed with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). To identify sectors where non-payment of National Minimum Wage is more likely HMRC and BIS analyse numbers of complaints and incidences of non-compliance and take account of information from, for example, other Government Departments, Trade Union representatives and the Low Pay Commission . Using this information, and often in conjunction with other Government Departments, HMRC have undertaken targeted enforcement on areas such as the care sector, car washes and the retail sector, amongst others.

However, HMRC, including National Minimum Wage officials, undertake joint working with the police, Home Office and local authorities across the country. HMRC’s collaboration has assisted in identifying instances of slavery and servitude in some of these operations.