@prefix rdf: . @prefix xsd: . @prefix dcterms: . @prefix skos: . @prefix rdfs: . @prefix api: . @prefix parl: . parl:answer ; parl:answeringDeptId "14" ; parl:answeringDeptPrinted "HM Treasury" ; parl:answeringDeptShortName "Treasury" ; parl:answeringDeptSortName "Treasury" ; parl:hansardHeading "Social Services: Pay" ; parl:houseId "1" ; parl:legislature ; parl:questionText "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much of the national minimum wage arrears identified in the social care sector by HM Revenue and Customs in the findings of its social care evaluation of November 2013 have been recovered and paid to the workers affected." ; parl:registeredInterest false ; parl:tablingMember ; parl:tablingMemberConstituency "Stockton North" ; parl:tablingMemberPrinted "Alex Cunningham" ; parl:uin "211605" ; dcterms:date "2014-10-22"^^xsd:dateTime . rdfs:label "Biography information for Alex Cunningham" . parl:answerText "

The following table provides the number of science (by separate science subject), technology, engineering and mathematics teachers in service in publicly funded secondary schools in England in November of each year from 2011 to 2013: [1], [2]

Subject [3]

2011

2012

2013

Physics

5,900

6,000

6,200

Chemistry

6,900

7,200

7,400

Biology

8,500

8,700

8,800

Combined/General Science

34,700

32,700

32,900

Other Sciences

2,800

2,400

2,400

Technology

14,800

13,800

13,400

Engineering

1,600

1,500

1,500

Mathematics

35,200

32,800

33,300

Source: School Workforce Census

[1] Figures are based on a large sample of over 70% of secondary schools.

[2] Figures are rounded to the nearest 100.

[3] Each teacher is counted once under each subject they teach.

Information for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a matter for the respective devolved administrations.

" ; parl:answeringMember ; parl:answeringMemberConstituency "Yeovil" ; parl:answeringMemberPrinted "Mr David Laws" ; parl:dateOfAnswer "2014-11-03"^^xsd:dateTime ; parl:isMinisterialCorrection false ; parl:questionFirstAnswered "2014-11-03T13:58:09.0956636Z"^^xsd:dateTime . parl:answerText "

The Government takes the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) very seriously.

HMRC does not keep data in a format to enable provision of the statistics requested on the amount of arrears paid or not paid to workers. HMRC contacts every employer whom they find has paid workers below the National Minimum Wage to confirm that they have paid the identified arrears to the workers. In addition, where it has found arrears for five or fewer workers it will contact all the workers to confirm payment by the employer. In cases involving arrears for more than five workers it will contact a minimum sample of five workers to confirm payment by the employer. HMRC will pursue non-payment of arrears through civil recovery action.

HMRC review every complaint that is referred to them by the Pay and Work Rights Helpline and will always investigate any case of possible National Minimum Wage abuse. Therefore there will always be variation in the number of cases investigated within specific sectors.

" ; parl:answeringMember ; parl:answeringMemberConstituency "South West Hertfordshire" ; parl:answeringMemberPrinted "Mr David Gauke" ; parl:dateOfAnswer "2014-11-03"^^xsd:dateTime ; parl:groupedQuestionUIN "211605" , "211653" ; parl:isMinisterialCorrection false ; parl:questionFirstAnswered "2014-11-03T15:22:53.851797Z"^^xsd:dateTime . parl:answerText "

The Government takes the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) very seriously.

HMRC does not keep data in a format to enable provision of the statistics requested on the amount of arrears paid or not paid to workers. HMRC contacts every employer whom they find has paid workers below the National Minimum Wage to confirm that they have paid the identified arrears to the workers. In addition, where it has found arrears for five or fewer workers it will contact all the workers to confirm payment by the employer. In cases involving arrears for more than five workers it will contact a minimum sample of five workers to confirm payment by the employer. HMRC will pursue non-payment of arrears through civil recovery action.

HMRC review every complaint that is referred to them by the Pay and Work Rights Helpline and will always investigate any case of possible National Minimum Wage abuse. Therefore there will always be variation in the number of cases investigated within specific sectors.

" ; parl:answeringMember ; parl:answeringMemberConstituency "South West Hertfordshire" ; parl:answeringMemberPrinted "Mr David Gauke" ; parl:dateOfAnswer "2014-11-03"^^xsd:dateTime ; parl:groupedQuestionUIN "211547" , "211653" ; parl:isMinisterialCorrection false ; parl:questionFirstAnswered "2014-11-03T15:22:53.7580979Z"^^xsd:dateTime . rdfs:label "Biography information for Adam Afriyie" . parl:answer ; parl:answeringDeptId "14" ; parl:answeringDeptPrinted "HM Treasury" ; parl:answeringDeptShortName "Treasury" ; parl:answeringDeptSortName "Treasury" ; parl:hansardHeading "Social Services: Pay" ; parl:houseId "1" ; parl:legislature ; parl:questionText "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HM Revenue and Customs plans to launch any further pro-active investigations into non-compliance with the national minimum wage in the social care sector." ; parl:registeredInterest false ; parl:tablingMember ; parl:tablingMemberConstituency "Stockton North" ; parl:tablingMemberPrinted "Alex Cunningham" ; parl:uin "211864" ; dcterms:date "2014-10-24"^^xsd:dateTime . parl:answerText "

The Government takes the enforcement of National Minimum Wage very seriously. Any worker who believes that they are being paid below the minimum wage should make a complaint to the Pay & Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368. HMRC review every complaint that is referred to them by the Pay and Work Rights Helpline. In addition, by collating and analysing data received from various sources, HMRC ensure targeted enforcement through robust risk assessment processes to identify employers across the United Kingdom who are more likely to be not paying National Minimum Wage.

As part of the targeted enforcement activity undertaken, HMRC have collaborated with care sector representative bodies, such as the UK Home Care Association, and payroll software service providers to improve understanding and awareness of National Minimum Wage compliance issues and assist in the development of compliance toolkits to enable those organisations to promote and facilitate voluntary compliance.

" ; parl:answeringMember ; parl:answeringMemberConstituency "South West Hertfordshire" ; parl:answeringMemberPrinted "Mr David Gauke" ; parl:dateOfAnswer "2014-11-03"^^xsd:dateTime ; parl:groupedQuestionUIN "211863" ; parl:isMinisterialCorrection false ; parl:questionFirstAnswered "2014-11-03T15:30:24.887007Z"^^xsd:dateTime . rdfs:label "Biography information for Mr David Gauke" . rdfs:label "Biography information for Norman Lamb" . parl:answer ; parl:answeringDeptId "14" ; parl:answeringDeptPrinted "HM Treasury" ; parl:answeringDeptShortName "Treasury" ; parl:answeringDeptSortName "Treasury" ; parl:hansardHeading "Minimum Wage" ; parl:houseId "1" ; parl:legislature ; parl:questionText "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2014 to Question 209683 to the hon. Member for Stourbridge, what assessment he has made of the factors that resulted in there being no prosecutions for not paying the national minimum wage in each of the last two years." ; parl:registeredInterest false ; parl:tablingMember ; parl:tablingMemberConstituency "Stockton North" ; parl:tablingMemberPrinted "Alex Cunningham" ; parl:uin "211604" ; dcterms:date "2014-10-22"^^xsd:dateTime . parl:answer ; parl:answeringDeptId "14" ; parl:answeringDeptPrinted "HM Treasury" ; parl:answeringDeptShortName "Treasury" ; parl:answeringDeptSortName "Treasury" ; parl:hansardHeading "Home Care Services" ; parl:houseId "1" ; parl:legislature ; parl:questionText "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 17 October 2014 to Question 209191, for what reason fewer HM Revenue and Customs investigations into the home-care sector were carried out in 2013-14 than 2012-13." ; parl:registeredInterest false ; parl:tablingMember ; parl:tablingMemberConstituency "Stockton North" ; parl:tablingMemberPrinted "Alex Cunningham" ; parl:uin "211547" ; dcterms:date "2014-10-22"^^xsd:dateTime . rdfs:label "Biography information for Jo Swinson" . skos:prefLabel "House of Commons" . parl:answer ; parl:answeringDeptId "17" ; parl:answeringDeptPrinted "Department of Health" ; parl:answeringDeptShortName "Health" ; parl:answeringDeptSortName "Health" ; parl:hansardHeading "Care Workers: Minimum Wage" ; parl:houseId "1" ; parl:legislature ; parl:questionText "To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether his Department has made an assessment of or received evidence on the effect on care standards of non-payment of the national minimum wage in the social care sector." ; parl:registeredInterest false ; parl:tablingMember ; parl:tablingMemberConstituency "Stockton North" ; parl:tablingMemberPrinted "Alex Cunningham" ; parl:uin "211866" ; dcterms:date "2014-10-24"^^xsd:dateTime . parl:answer ; parl:answeringDeptId "60" ; parl:answeringDeptPrinted "Department for Education" ; parl:answeringDeptShortName "Education" ; parl:answeringDeptSortName "Education" ; parl:hansardHeading "Pupil Premium" ; parl:houseId "1" ; parl:legislature ; parl:questionText "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the merits of extending the Pupil Premium to all children educated at home." ; parl:registeredInterest false ; parl:tablingMember ; parl:tablingMemberConstituency "Stockton North" ; parl:tablingMemberPrinted "Alex Cunningham" ; parl:uin "212017" ; dcterms:date "2014-10-27"^^xsd:dateTime . parl:answerText "

The Department has not conducted any recent research on the effect of treatment of staff on standards of care and on the relationship between levels of pay and quality of social care services.

As part of the development of Caring for our Future white paper in 2011, the Department undertook extensive engagement with both service users and carers who highlighted a range of issues they felt needed addressing to ensure high quality care and support is available. In addressing this, the Department, working with the Sector Skills Council – Skills for Care – and other partners, has implemented a range of policies that has included setting out clear minimum training standards, recruiting more apprentices and supporting the transformation of the social work profession.

There are a number of factors that determine the quality of care provided in the social care sector, including the way staff are treated. Pay is not the single most significant factor in delivering high quality services.

The Department is clear however that care providers must abide by the law with regards to payment of the national minimum wage and is taking steps to ensure this happens. The Department is liaising with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to name and shame any social care providers who do not comply with the national minimum wage legislation and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs is continuing to carry out enforcement action in the social care sector and will investigate all complaints made by care workers that their employer is not paying them the national minimum wage. In addition, it is looking to ensure that the statutory guidance that will accompany the Care Act on commissioning and market shaping explicitly states local authorities should have evidence that contract terms, conditions and fee levels are appropriate to provide the agreed care packages with agreed quality of care.

" ; parl:answeringMember ; parl:answeringMemberConstituency "North Norfolk" ; parl:answeringMemberPrinted "Norman Lamb" ; parl:dateOfAnswer "2014-11-03"^^xsd:dateTime ; parl:isMinisterialCorrection false ; parl:questionFirstAnswered "2014-11-03T16:37:18.1346421Z"^^xsd:dateTime . parl:answerText "

The Government takes the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) very seriously.

HMRC does not keep data in a format to enable provision of the statistics requested on the amount of arrears paid or not paid to workers. HMRC contacts every employer whom they find has paid workers below the National Minimum Wage to confirm that they have paid the identified arrears to the workers. In addition, where it has found arrears for five or fewer workers it will contact all the workers to confirm payment by the employer. In cases involving arrears for more than five workers it will contact a minimum sample of five workers to confirm payment by the employer. HMRC will pursue non-payment of arrears through civil recovery action.

HMRC review every complaint that is referred to them by the Pay and Work Rights Helpline and will always investigate any case of possible National Minimum Wage abuse. Therefore there will always be variation in the number of cases investigated within specific sectors.

" ; parl:answeringMember ; parl:answeringMemberConstituency "South West Hertfordshire" ; parl:answeringMemberPrinted "Mr David Gauke" ; parl:dateOfAnswer "2014-11-03"^^xsd:dateTime ; parl:groupedQuestionUIN "211605" , "211547" ; parl:isMinisterialCorrection false ; parl:questionFirstAnswered "2014-11-03T15:22:54.2912799Z"^^xsd:dateTime . parl:answer ; parl:answeringDeptId "14" ; parl:answeringDeptPrinted "HM Treasury" ; parl:answeringDeptShortName "Treasury" ; parl:answeringDeptSortName "Treasury" ; parl:hansardHeading "Home Care Services: Pay" ; parl:houseId "1" ; parl:legislature ; parl:questionText "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the benefits and disbenefits of HM Revenue and Customs launching pro-active investigations into the home care sector and the non-payment of the national minimum wage." ; parl:registeredInterest false ; parl:tablingMember ; parl:tablingMemberConstituency "Stockton North" ; parl:tablingMemberPrinted "Alex Cunningham" ; parl:uin "211863" ; dcterms:date "2014-10-24"^^xsd:dateTime . parl:answerText "

The Government takes the enforcement of National Minimum Wage very seriously. Any worker who believes that they are being paid below the minimum wage should make a complaint to the Pay & Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368. HMRC review every complaint that is referred to them by the Pay and Work Rights Helpline. In addition, by collating and analysing data received from various sources, HMRC ensure targeted enforcement through robust risk assessment processes to identify employers across the United Kingdom who are more likely to be not paying National Minimum Wage.

As part of the targeted enforcement activity undertaken, HMRC have collaborated with care sector representative bodies, such as the UK Home Care Association, and payroll software service providers to improve understanding and awareness of National Minimum Wage compliance issues and assist in the development of compliance toolkits to enable those organisations to promote and facilitate voluntary compliance.

" ; parl:answeringMember ; parl:answeringMemberConstituency "South West Hertfordshire" ; parl:answeringMemberPrinted "Mr David Gauke" ; parl:dateOfAnswer "2014-11-03"^^xsd:dateTime ; parl:groupedQuestionUIN "211864" ; parl:isMinisterialCorrection false ; parl:questionFirstAnswered "2014-11-03T15:30:25.0066879Z"^^xsd:dateTime . parl:answer ; parl:answeringDeptId "26" ; parl:answeringDeptPrinted "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills" ; parl:answeringDeptShortName "Business, Innovation and Skills" ; parl:answeringDeptSortName "Business, Innovation and Skills" ; parl:hansardHeading "Social Services: Pay" ; parl:houseId "1" ; parl:legislature ; parl:questionText "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment his Department has made of the merits of HM Revenue and Customs launching pro-active investigations into the non-payment of the national minimum wage." ; parl:registeredInterest false ; parl:tablingMember ; parl:tablingMemberConstituency "Stockton North" ; parl:tablingMemberPrinted "Alex Cunningham" ; parl:uin "211865" ; dcterms:date "2014-10-24"^^xsd:dateTime . parl:answerText "

The Government has not undertaken a formal assessment of the merits of pro-active investigations but believes they are an important part of enforcement.

HMRC published findings from their targeted social care evaluation on 25 November 2013. Over the period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2013, HMRC had made enquiries into 224 employers in the social care sector. Of the cases completed by the end of September 2014, HMRC have found non-compliance in 108 (48%) of their enquiries, identifying £1,319,729 arrears of pay for 6,550 workers, with penalties issued with a total value of £146,931.

As part of this targeted enforcement activity, HMRC have collaborated with care sector representative bodies to improve understanding of compliance risks and design controls within payroll systems that prevent workers being underpaid the minimum wage.

The Department of Health has recently published statutory guidance for local authorities as part of the package of secondary legislation that accompanies the Care Act. The chapter of statutory guidance on commissioning and market shaping explicitly states that local authorities should have evidence that contract terms, conditions and fee levels will not compromise care providers’ ability to pay at least minimum wages. A copy of the guidance can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/care-act-2014-statutory-guidance-for-implementation

The Department of Health is asking all Local Authorities to sign up to the Social Care Commitment which incorporates a statement about employer compliance with minimum wage legislation. The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services has written out to all its members encouraging them to support the Commitment as a way of raising standards in adult social care.

We regularly update our Guidance on Gov.UK and we will continue to work with the sector to improve understanding and compliance.

Any worker who believes that they are being paid below the minimum wage should call the Pay & Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368. HM Revenue & Customs investigate all complaints.

" ; parl:answeringMember ; parl:answeringMemberConstituency "East Dunbartonshire" ; parl:answeringMemberPrinted "Jo Swinson" ; parl:dateOfAnswer "2014-11-03"^^xsd:dateTime ; parl:isMinisterialCorrection false ; parl:questionFirstAnswered "2014-11-03T11:47:07.1944946Z"^^xsd:dateTime . parl:answer ; parl:answeringDeptId "14" ; parl:answeringDeptPrinted "HM Treasury" ; parl:answeringDeptShortName "Treasury" ; parl:answeringDeptSortName "Treasury" ; parl:hansardHeading "Home Care Services: Pay" ; parl:houseId "1" ; parl:legislature ; parl:questionText "To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 17 October 2014 to question 209191, how many investigations by HM Revenue and Customs into the home care sector were conducted in the first six months of 2014-15." ; parl:registeredInterest false ; parl:tablingMember ; parl:tablingMemberConstituency "Stockton North" ; parl:tablingMemberPrinted "Alex Cunningham" ; parl:uin "211653" ; dcterms:date "2014-10-22"^^xsd:dateTime . parl:answerText "

The Government takes the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) very seriously. HMRC review every complaint that is referred to them by the Pay and Work Rights Helpline. In addition, HMRC undertake targeted enforcement on employers across the United Kingdom who are more likely to be not paying NMW.

The Government 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.

The majority of employers identified as paying below the NMW pay arrears on receipt of a formal Notice of Underpayment. Where they do not do so, HMRC pursues recovery through the civil courts. HMRC‘s approach to tackling underpayment of NMW through the civil courts is the best way to ensure that money is paid back to the person underpaid and provides the most effective resolution for tax-payers. Criminal investigations may not result in arrears being paid to workers and are therefore reserved for the most serious cases.

" ; parl:answeringMember ; parl:answeringMemberConstituency "South West Hertfordshire" ; parl:answeringMemberPrinted "Mr David Gauke" ; parl:dateOfAnswer "2014-11-03"^^xsd:dateTime ; parl:isMinisterialCorrection false ; parl:questionFirstAnswered "2014-11-03T15:32:50.2694548Z"^^xsd:dateTime . rdfs:label "Biography information for Mr David Laws" . parl:answer ; parl:answeringDeptId "60" ; parl:answeringDeptPrinted "Department for Education" ; parl:answeringDeptShortName "Education" ; parl:answeringDeptSortName "Education" ; parl:hansardHeading "Teachers: Secondary Education" ; parl:houseId "1" ; parl:legislature ; parl:questionText "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many teachers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics there were in UK secondary schools in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14." ; parl:registeredInterest false ; parl:tablingMember ; parl:tablingMemberConstituency "Windsor" ; parl:tablingMemberPrinted "Adam Afriyie" ; parl:uin "212006" ; dcterms:date "2014-10-27"^^xsd:dateTime . parl:answerText "

The aim of the Pupil Premium is to raise the attainment of mainly economically disadvantaged pupils, which is why the funding is focused on those children who have been on free school meals at some point in the last six years.

There are no plans to extend the Pupil Premium to children who are educated at home. The Government respects the right of parents to choose how their children are educated, whether this is at home or in any of the institutions available to them. However, parents who choose to home educate their children must take responsibility for costs. Local authorities have the power to give assistance to parents who home school if they so choose.

" ; parl:answeringMember ; parl:answeringMemberConstituency "Yeovil" ; parl:answeringMemberPrinted "Mr David Laws" ; parl:dateOfAnswer "2014-11-03"^^xsd:dateTime ; parl:isMinisterialCorrection false ; parl:questionFirstAnswered "2014-11-03T13:54:35.7946064Z"^^xsd:dateTime . a api:ListEndpoint ; dcterms:hasPart ; api:definition . a api:Page ; "10"^^xsd:long ; "1"^^xsd:long ; "330"^^xsd:long ; dcterms:isPartOf ; api:definition ; api:extendedMetadataVersion ; api:items ( ) ; api:page "0"^^xsd:long ; ; .