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<p>The Government takes the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage very seriously
and has increased the financial penalty percentage from 50% to 100% of the unpaid
wages owed to workers, and the maximum penalty from £5,000 to £20,000. These new limits
are now in force where arrears are identified in pay reference periods on or after
7 March 2014. The Government will also bring in primary legislation as soon as possible
so that the maximum £20,000 penalty can apply to each underpaid worker.<br><br>I am
unable to provide in-year figures for 2014/15 as HM Revenue and Customs do not disclose
results mid-way through a year; this is because the results have not been internally
verified. In an effort to assist I have provided the verified figures up to the year
2013/14, which provides numbers of the maximum penalties issued up until April 2014."</p>
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