 |
answer text |
<p>Government is exploring options for a single labour market enforcement body – we
will publish proposals on this for consultation shortly. More recently we announced
that this consultation will consider extending the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority’s
licensing scheme to further sectors and that we will ensure trade unions and businesses
are consulted on the strategic direction of labour market enforcement.</p><p> </p><p>As
part of the forthcoming Spending Review we will consider what level of funding is
appropriate to ensure that it is adequately resourced to deliver its strengthened
remit.</p><p> </p><p>Government is committed to ensuring fair and effective enforcement.
We have taken concrete measures to increase the number of labour market inspectors
and extend their coverage.</p><p> </p><ul><li>Government has increased funding for
HMRC’s enforcement of the National Minimum and Living Wage (NMW) to a record high
of £26.3 million for 2018/19. The NMW enforcement team went from 140 staff in 2015-16
to 424 in 2017/18 (measured on a full-time equivalent basis).</li><li>Funding for
the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) has also risen in the last two years
to reflect the expansion of its remit to tackle labour exploitation. The GLAA now
receives over £7m per year in funding, up from £4.5m in 2016/17.</li><li>The Employment
Agency Standards Inspectorate has seen its funding increase from £0.5m in 2016/17
to £0.725m in 2018/19.</li></ul><p> </p><p>The Good Work Plan went further, setting
out a number of measures to improve state enforcement of core employment rights. In
addition to introducing state enforcement of holiday pay for vulnerable workers, we
also committed to expand protection of agency workers to cover umbrella companies.</p>
|
|
