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<p>The 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>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>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><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>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>
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