Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many companies in Wales are known to have paid employees less than the minimum wage in each year for which figures are available; and if he will list those companies and their location.

The Government is determined that everyone who is entitled to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) receives it. Anyone who feels they have been underpaid NMW or NLW should contact the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) review all complaints that are referred to them.

HMRC does not record statistics on complaints or investigations by reference to countries of the United Kingdom, Government regions, constituencies or counties. Since 1999, when NMW enforcement began, HMRC has identified over 25,500 employers with total NMW arrears of almost £79 million. Last year (2016/17) HMRC identified over 1,100 employers with total NMW arrears of over £10.9 million.

HMRC cannot comment on the affairs of individual taxpayers, as it has a duty to maintain taxpayer confidentiality. However, the Department for Business for Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) run a naming scheme for employers who are found to have underpaid NMW. You can find more information at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/enforcing-national-minimum-wage-law

I refer the honourable member to the answer provided on 18^th July 2016, at UIN 42723, for information on prosecution results.