25/09/2003

Inland Revenue recovers £3.5m in unpaid wages

New figures published today show that over £3.5 million in unpaid wages from employers flouting the minimum wage was uncovered last year.

The Inland Revenue carried out more than 6,000 investigations last year - an increase of more than 500 on the previous year. It brings the total to almost £13 million since the minimum wage was introduced in 1999.

The DTI has started a five-week publicity campaign to publicise the rise in the adult rate to £4.50 an hour and £3.80 for the youth rate. These new rises come into force on October 1. For the first time the campaign will include targeted advertising through recruitment websites.

Employment Minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, said: "There is no room for complacency when it comes to enforcing the minimum wage but these latest figures show that we are winning the war against rogue employers.

There were 53,000 calls to the minimum wage helpline last year - leading to 1,996 complaints. The greatest number of complaints were in retail, hospitality and markets. Since 1 April 1999, the helpline has responded to more than 333,000 enquiries and handled more than 10,000 complaints.

The Northern Ireland National Minimum Wage Helpline (0845 650 0207) has received more than 3000 calls with over 140 worker complaints referred to the regional compliance team for investigation. The Helpline is operated in partnership with the Northern Ireland Citizens Advice Bureaux.

A Scottish National Minimum Wage Helpline (0845 600 1768) was launched in February 2003. The Scottish Low Pay Unit operates this Helpline, in partnership with Inland Revenue, DTI and Citizens Advice Scotland.

Anyone who thinks they are not being paid the minimum wage should call the helpline on 0845 6000 678 or use the interactive website - www.tiger.gov.uk - which provides guidance for both employees and employers.

(gmcg)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

09 January 2007
Fines for under minimum wage employers
Employers who refuse to pay the minimum wage could face a £200 fine for every worker underpaid. Employers already have to pay back arrears they owe to the worker and those who refuse to pay up will be penalised. Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling said: "Workers have the right to a decent minimum wage and we are determined they get it.
30 September 2009
Mandelson Serves Up Fair Tips And Wages Deal
New rules come into force tomorrow to ensure that thousands of workers get a fair deal on tips and wages. The changes make it illegal for businesses to use tips to bring staff pay up to minimum wage levels. They come into effect on the same day as new increases to national minimum wage rates which will benefit up to one million people.
19 June 2007
Migrant workers 'benefit UK economy'
The British economy is benefiting from the influx of migrant workers to the UK, a TUC study has claimed. The TUC said that immigrants were paying more in taxes than the value of the public services they receive. The union also claimed that the arrival of migrant workers has not depressed jobs or wages.
01 June 2006
Fall in Premiership wage packets
Wages for Premiership footballers have dropped for the first time in the league's history. The report by Deloitte & Touche's Sports Business Group showed that the total wage bill for Premiership clubs fell by 3.2% in the 2004/05 season. However, the figures do not take into account the broadcasting deal, which will generate an additional £1.
17 June 2015
Jobless Rate At Lowest Since 2008
Unemployment in the UK has fallen by 43,000 to 1.81 million, while wages have hit a four-year high, according to new figures from the Office Of National Statistics (ONS). The figures show that the jobless rate is now at its lowest level since August 2008. They also reveal that wages have grown at their fastest rate since August 2011, rising 2.7%.