Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much was recovered by HM Revenue and Customs as arrears for non-compliance with the national minimum wage in each quarter since 1 April 2014; from how many employers that amount was recovered; and for how many workers that amount was recovered.

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.

Full year figures for 2014/15 are provided in the ‘Final government evidence for the Low Pay Commission’s 2016 Report’, which is available to view at the following address:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-minimum-wage-final-government-evidence-to-the-low-pay-commission-2016

The Government is committed to cracking down on employers who break NMW law. Between April 2015 and November 2015, HMRC took action against over 500 businesses, identifying over £8 million for 46,000 workers. This is already the largest amount of arrears identified in any single year since the introduction of the NMW.