HMRC to recruit up to 60 officers to police NMW compliance
25 March 2015
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) plans to recruit 60 additional compliance officers in the next year to police payment of the national minimum wage (NMW) among employers.
Wed, 25 Mar 2015
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) plans to recruit 60 additional compliance officers in the next year to police payment of the national minimum wage (NMW) among employers.
Yesterday [24 March], government released its latest list of 48 employers who failed to pay NMW.
In response, Trade Union Congress (TUC) general secretary Frances O’Grady said in a statement government needed to invest in more inspectors so that “every single minimum wage cheat is caught”.
“It’s great to see more cheapskate bosses brought to justice for not paying the minimum wage,” she said. “It’s a constant battle though, and despite the growing list of those named and shamed there are many other employers still getting away with it.”
But revealing recruitment plans for the next year, a spokesperson for the Department for Business Innovation & Skills told Recruiter HMRC’s budget for enforcing NMW has increased from £8m to £9.2m this year, and will increase again in 2015/16 to £12.2m.
“This 50% increase in resources has enabled HMRC to recruit an additional 26 compliance officers this year taking the total to 133, and plans are in place to recruit approximately 60 additional officers, who will take up post in early 2015/16,” she said.
“This will strengthen HMRC’s ability to carry out targeted enforcement in the most problematic sectors, whilst ensuring they continue to respond to every complaint they receive.”
Yesterday [24 March], government released its latest list of 48 employers who failed to pay NMW.
In response, Trade Union Congress (TUC) general secretary Frances O’Grady said in a statement government needed to invest in more inspectors so that “every single minimum wage cheat is caught”.
“It’s great to see more cheapskate bosses brought to justice for not paying the minimum wage,” she said. “It’s a constant battle though, and despite the growing list of those named and shamed there are many other employers still getting away with it.”
But revealing recruitment plans for the next year, a spokesperson for the Department for Business Innovation & Skills told Recruiter HMRC’s budget for enforcing NMW has increased from £8m to £9.2m this year, and will increase again in 2015/16 to £12.2m.
“This 50% increase in resources has enabled HMRC to recruit an additional 26 compliance officers this year taking the total to 133, and plans are in place to recruit approximately 60 additional officers, who will take up post in early 2015/16,” she said.
“This will strengthen HMRC’s ability to carry out targeted enforcement in the most problematic sectors, whilst ensuring they continue to respond to every complaint they receive.”
- Want to comment on this story? The Comment box is at the bottom of the page. Sorry for the glitch but just scroll right down and share your opinions!
