26. Shona MclsaacTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action has been taken against employers who pay below the national minimum wage. [124613]
§ Dr. HowellsThe National Minimum Wage (NMW) Act 1998 contains a number of provisions relating to enforcement, both civil and criminal. To date, 155 enforcement notices have been issued which require employers to start paying the NMW and make good any past failure to pay the NMW. Two notices have so far required follow up action with a penalty notice fining the employer for each day of non-compliance with the enforcement notice.
It is also a criminal offence to refuse or wilfully neglect to pay the NMW. So far it has not been necessary to take a criminal prosecution, though enforcement officers will do so in appropriate circumstances.