§ 9. Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many enforcement actions have been taken in Scotland to ensure that employers pay the national minimum wage. [118134]
§ Dr. ReidSince the introduction of the national minimum wage on 1 April 1999, National Minimum Wage inspectors in Scotland have received 279 complaints and issued 12 enforcement notices.
§ 12. Ms SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the enforcement of the minimum wage. [118137]
§ Dr. ReidEnforcement of the national minimum wage has been a success. Since the introduction of the national minimum wage on 1 April last year, minimum wage inspectors in Scotland have received 279 complaints and issued 12 enforcement notices. The Inland Revenue's national minimum wage inspectors have recovered some £1.25 million of underpayments for low-paid workers across the UK. The message is getting across that inspectors will use their powers to pursue non-complying employers. However, I am pleased that the majority of employers have responded well to the introduction of the minimum wage which benefits some 100,000 workers in Scotland.