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<p>Exploiting vulnerable workers for commercial gain is despicable and the Government
will not stand for it. The Government is determined that everyone who is entitled
to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) receives it.</p><p> </p><p>All businesses, irrespective
of size or business sector, are responsible for paying the correct minimum wage to
their staff; and consequences for not complying with paying NMW can include fines
of 200% of the arrears, public naming and, for the worst offences, criminal prosecution.</p><p>
</p><p>HMRC take seriously and review all complaints from workers referred by the
Acas helpline, or received via the online complaints form, and investigate as appropriate.
If anyone thinks they are not receiving at least the minimum wage, they can contact
Acas, in confidence, on 0300 123 1100 or submit a query online using the link: <a
href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fpublications%2Fpay-and-work-rights-complaints(opens%2520in%2520a%2520new%2520tab)&data=04%7C01%7Cvictoria.bedford%40hmrc.gov.uk%7C8084014b8ce449dc2e3e08d8e927ede1%7Cac52f73cfd1a4a9a8e7a4a248f3139e1%7C0%7C0%7C637515704984552733%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=dSNOiPV1YpVfwrRG8%2BVmpGSsp9JHNxK3qrlk90l7b%2FA%3D&reserved=0"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pay-and-work-rights-complaints(opens
in a new tab)</a> .</p><p> </p><p>HMRC NMW has undertaken joint operations with partner
agencies in Leicester for a number of years and have historically investigated more
than 150 textile businesses, including multiple employers operating in Leicester;
recovering over £215,000 in wage arrears for over 400 workers and issued over £325,000
in penalties. HMRC NMW has also opened a significant number of investigations in Leicester
since 1 July 2020.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC continues to take proactive steps in this industry:
we have written to over 18,000 workers in the textile sector flagging their entitlement
to minimum wage, common causes of underpayment and encouraging confidential reporting
of employers, and have written to over 2,500 employers in the sector highlighting
the main risks which lead to NMW underpayment.</p><p> </p><p>The British Retail Consortium
has alleged that workers in the Leicester textile sector are underpaid by £2.1m per
week. Previous and ongoing HMRC investigations have not identified non-compliance
with NMW on this scale.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to work closely with industry bodies
and would welcome any evidence they have in support of the findings by the British
Retail Consortium.</p>
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