Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to paragraph 2.20 of the National Audit Office report, Adult Social Care in England: Overview, published in March 2014, what estimate HM Revenue and Customs has made of the (a) number and (b) proportion of workers in (i) the adult social care sector and (ii) each other economic sector who were paid below the level of the national minimum wage.

Official estimates of jobs paid below the National Minimum Wage (NMW) derive from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). Table 1.7 (page 18) of the Low Pay Commission National Minimum Wage Spring 2016 Report shows the proportion of jobs held by those aged 21 and over paid below the minimum wage by sector using ASHE - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-minimum-wage-low-pay-commission-report-2015

ASHE estimates are not a direct measure of non-compliance with the NMW legislation as it includes some jobs paid below the NMW for legitimate reasons (e.g. where employees receive free accommodation) and it may not account for all travel and sleeping time.

The Government has responded by taking action to improve compliance with the National Minimum Wage in the social care sector and is working closely with the Department of Health and HMRC, as well as the relevant sector bodies. We will also continue to undertake targeted enforcement in this sector to ensure workers are paid what they are legally owed.

Any worker who is concerned that they have not received what they are entitled to should call the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100 for confidential advice. HMRC follow up every complaint.