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<p>The law is clear that any individual performing work is entitled to receive the
National Minimum and National Living Wage (NMW). The Government is committed to enforcing
this right. In 2018/19 HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) identified a record £24.4 million
in arrears for over 220,000 workers and issued over £17 million in penalties to non-compliant
employers. The budget to enforce the NMW stands at its highest ever.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC
have contacted over 2,000 employers found to be advertising unpaid internships online
to ensure they are compliant with the law. They have also issued over 15,000 letters
to employers in industries where internships are common to remind them of their responsibilities.</p><p>
</p><p>Earlier this month my hon Friend the Minister of State (Department for Digital,
Culture, Media and Sport) (Digital Policy) (Margot James) and I co-hosted a roundtable
on internships with employers and organisations in the creative industries. Discussion
focused on how Government can work better with employers to raise the profile of existing
rules and ensure that interns are paid in accordance with NMW law. The event provided
important insight which will be used to improve compliance with the law across all
sectors.</p><p> </p><p>Anyone who feels they are being underpaid the NMW should contact
Acas for free impartial advice or make a complaint directly to HMRC through their
online form. HMRC follow up on every worker complaint received, even those which are
anonymous.</p>
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