Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department has taken steps to help ensure that P&O Ferries is complying with national minimum wage legislation on its vessels working between Cairnryan and Larne since 25 October 2022.

HMRC enforce the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and the National Living Wage on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

HMRC do not comment on any identifiable individuals or businesses.

HMRC consider 100 per cent of complaints they receive and undertake an extensive programme to identify risk and allocate resource based on the level of risk identified, to ensure compliance with the NMW where there is entitlement. Alongside this they undertake an extensive programme of outreach activity to help employers understand their obligations and workers to know their rights.

If anyone thinks they are not receiving at least the minimum wage, they can contact Acas, in confidence, on 0300 123 1100 or submit a query online:  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pay-and-work-rights-complaints.  HMRC also welcomes information from third parties, if any person or organisation has information about potential NMW breaches they can get in touch with us via gov.uk by searching “pay and work rights complaints.