Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many enforcement actions were pursued by HM Revenue and Customs National Minimum Wage compliance teams through (a) employment tribunals and (b) civil courts in each of the last five years; and what amount was recovered through that process in each such year.

The Government takes the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) very seriously and has increased the financial penalty percentage from 50% to 100% of the unpaid wages owed to workers, and the maximum penalty from £5,000 to £20,000. These new limits are now in force where arrears are identified in pay reference periods on or after 7 March 2014. The Government will also bring in primary legislation as soon as possible so that the maximum £20,000 penalty can apply to each underpaid worker.

HMRC record data based on investigations completed. I refer the honourable member to the answer provided on 6 May 2014 at Hansard Column 110W which provides details of investigations completed and incidences of non-compliance.

HMRC do not hold data on Employment Tribunals and action taken through civil courts in a format that would enable provision of the statistics requested.

I refer the honourable member to the answer provided at UIN 205613 for details of penalties issued and their value.