HC Deb 04 November 1999 vol 337 cc278-9W
31. Mr. David Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on enforcement of the national minimum wage. [95855]

Mr. Alan Johnson

We are confident we have put in place one of the world's most professional and organised systems of minimum wage enforcement. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for City of Chester (Ms Russell) below.

36. Ms Christine Russell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to prevent employers from ignoring the national minimum wage. [95860]

Mr. Alan Johnson

National Minimum Wage (NMW) Inspectors have dealt with over 3,000 cases of suspected underpayment of the minimum wage. Every call is followed up, including anonymous calls and third party tip-offs. In addition, Inspectors are now targeting low paying employers based on detailed risk analysis. Changes to the law mean that our Inspectors are now able to use information gathered for income tax, N1 and Working Families Tax Credit purposes.

The Government recognise that it is vital that employers are aware of their obligations under the law. In January this year the Inland Revenue included information about the NMW in their employer's annual pack, which was sent to all 1.2 million tax-registered employers. In March, once the Regulations had been approved by Parliament, we made detailed guidance available, along with leaflets for employers and employees. So far over 1 million copies of the guidance and leaflets have been sent out to individuals and organisations, as well as many thousands which have been downloaded from the minimum wage website.

Around £5 million was spent on advertising the minimum wage in March and April. Independent research shows the campaign met or exceeded the targets set; awareness of the minimum wage following advertising peaked at 95 per cent. among employers.

Mr. Sarwar

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the National Minimum Wage. [97578]

Mr. Alan Johnson

The Government have asked the Low Pay Commission to monitor and evaluate the introduction and impact of the national minimum wage. The Commission have undertaken a wide-ranging consultation and fact-finding exercise and have commissioned a series of research projects.

We have submitted and published our own evidence to the Low Pay Commission.

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