Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many employers in (a) Ashfield, (b) Nottinghamshire and (c) England were found to be paying employees below the national minimum wage in 2015-16; and what action was taken against those employers.

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) reviews all complaints that are referred to them.

HMRC does not record statistics on complaints or the outcomes of its investigations by reference to Government regions, constituencies or counties. In 2015-16, HMRC recovered its highest ever total of arrears of almost £10.3 million for over 58,000 workers from 958 employers. Non-compliant employers are liable for penalties of up to 200% of the arrears owed to the worker, up to a maximum of £20,000 per worker. Furthermore, employer details are referred to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for consideration of public naming under the Government’s NMW naming scheme for non-payment.