gov.uk<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p>
At the end of the 2017/18 financial year there were 412 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff in NMW compliance teams, up from 352 the previous year. Staffing levels fluctuate throughout the year. HMRC is currently staffed to 83% of planned NMW recruitment, and continues an extensive recruitment process as part of HMRC\u2019s ongoing growth in developing enforcement capability.<\/p>
<\/p>
Other staff across HMRC also contribute to enforcing the NMW, including lawyers, technical advisers and those specialising in criminal investigations. These staff are not included in these numbers.<\/p>
<\/p>
HMRC does not hold data in the format required to answer the question on average time to fill vacancies within NMW.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government has more than trebled annual funding of minimum wage enforcement since 2014, providing a total budget of £26.3m in 2018/19. The additional investment has enabled a significant expansion of resources dedicated to enforcing the minimum wage.<\/p>
<\/p>
Last year HMRC identified over £15.6m of NMW arrears for over 200,000 workers, which is the largest amount of arrears found for workers in any single year since the NMW was introduced.<\/p>
<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3935", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mel Stride"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Central Devon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mel Stride"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "165074"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-25T10:59:26.727Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Revenue and Customs: Recruitment"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the staffing complement is of HMRC's National Minimum Wage Compliance Unit; and how many of those staff posts were unfilled as of 17 July 2018.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4463", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Stephens"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow South West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Stephens"}
], "uin" : "165075"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/942863", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/942863/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
HMRC\u2019s gender pay gap analysis, published in December 2017, showed a base pay gap of 8.4% (mean) and 12.2% (median). Whilst this compares favourably with other Civil Service departments, HMRC is not complacent and are actively working to address the gap. HMRC continues to meet regularly with its recognised unions to review the pay position of all employees; with the shared ambition of ensuring annual pay awards are as fair as is reasonably possible.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3935", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mel Stride"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Central Devon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mel Stride"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-25T10:55:32.163Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Revenue and Customs: Equal Pay"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the most recent estimate is of the gender pay gap within HMRC.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4463", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Stephens"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow South West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Stephens"}
], "uin" : "165076"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/942864", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/942864/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Sanctions are only used in a minority of cases, when people fail to meet their conditionality requirements without good reason. When considering whether a sanction is appropriate, a Decision Maker will take all the claimant\u2019s individual circumstances, including any health conditions or disabilities and any evidence of good reason, into account before deciding whether a sanction is warranted<\/p>
<\/p>
We have a well-established system of hardship payments, available as a safeguard if a claimant demonstrates that they cannot meet their immediate and most essential needs, including accommodation, heating, food and hygiene, as a result of their sanction.<\/p>
<\/p>
Additionally, claimants on legacy benefits will continue to receive passported benefits, such as Housing Benefits, when they are sanctioned. Similarly, in Universal Credit, claimants will continue to receive other elements they are entitled to, such as the housing and children element.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4014", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading West"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alok Sharma"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-25T14:32:25.19Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Security Benefits: Disqualification"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to assist households facing financial difficulties as a result of benefit sanctions.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4463", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Stephens"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow South West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Stephens"}
], "uin" : "165077"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/942866", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/942866/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Universal Credit (UC) radically transforms the welfare system by seeking to ensure not only that claimants are better off in work, but that they are better off working more hours and earning more money, helping them ultimately to become financially independent. Their UC payments adjust automatically depending on the amount they earn, so that they are financially supported and do not need to switch their benefit claim.<\/p>
UC claimants may be required to look for and accept jobs with a zero hours contract. Such contracts can be a beneficial and positive way for claimants to boost their income and gain valuable work experience.<\/p>
<\/p>
UC claimants are expected to take responsibility for meeting any mandatory conditionality requirements they have agreed and will be supported by their Work Coach throughout. If there is no reason why a claimant should not take a zero hours contract job and they refuse, they may be sanctioned. However, sanctions are only used in a minority of cases and that is when claimants fail to meet their conditionality requirements without good reason.<\/p>
<\/p>
Jobseeker's Allowance claimants are not required to apply for zero hours contract jobs.<\/p>
This is because of the impact that fluctuating earnings and hours may have on a claim \u2013 entitlement will end when a claimant earns more than a certain amount or works more than 16 hours in a week. This means they would then need to reclaim when lower, or no hours are offered, posing a real risk of gaps in income. This disincentive to take on flexible work, or work more hours, has been designed out of UC to ensure support for people whose hours fluctuate.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4014", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading West"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alok Sharma"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-24T15:07:06.113Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Social Security Benefits"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the effect is of a claimant refusing a job with a prospective employer where the terms and conditions on offer include a zero hours contract on that claimant's continued receipt of benefits.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4463", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Stephens"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow South West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Stephens"}
], "uin" : "165078"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/942867", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/942867/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Department\u2019s rollout of Universal Credit Full Service is going to plan and is due to complete nationally in December 2018. As of the end of July 2018 we will have completed 65% of this programme, with nearly 400,000 new claimants added onto the system since August 2017. Where amendments to the rollout schedule have been announced (as on 22 March in Written Statement HCWS577, or following the November 2017 Budget), these reflect local considerations and discussions, or policy changes to Universal Credit.<\/p>
<\/p>
The policy changes announced following the November 2017 Budget, included:<\/p>
<\/p>
- from 3 January, increasing the repayment period of Universal Credit advances to 12 months, with claimants able to get up to 100 per cent of their estimated monthly entitlement upfront. These advances are available to claimants interest-free, and from July 2018, can be applied for online.<\/li><\/ul>
- from 14 February, removing the seven-day waiting period that some claimants had at the start of their Universal Credit claim.<\/li><\/ul>
- from 11 April, providing an additional payment for claimants already receiving support towards their housing costs of two weeks of their Housing Benefit to support them as they transfer onto Universal Credit. Claimants will not be required to repay this money.<\/li><\/ul>
<\/p>
Universal Credit is continuously improved in line with our test and learn approach and DWP continues to work closely with landlords, local authorities and other organisations to ensure claimants are supported throughout the assessment process. The Department provides funding for local authorities and other partner organisations to help claimants with the transition to Universal Credit through Universal Support. This is help for those who need assistance to manage their claim online and/or help with budgeting in order to manage their monthly payments and prioritise essential bills such as rent and utilities. Further information can be accessed at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-support<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p>
In common with other DWP benefits, in cases where a customer is affected by Departmental error, we can also consider awarding an ex-gratia payment, as set out in the guide on Financial Redress for Maladministration.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4014", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Alok Sharma"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Reading West"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alok Sharma"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-25T15:33:29.537Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Universal Credit"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to assist households facing financial difficulties as a result of errors or delays in the roll-out of universal credit.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4463", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Stephens"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow South West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Stephens"}
], "uin" : "165079"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/942868", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/942868/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I regularly discuss this important issue with my NATO counterparts, and it was a key part of the burden sharing discussions at the NATO Summit on 11-12 July.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4360", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Gavin Robinson"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Belfast East"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Gavin Robinson"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-24T15:01:49.787Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "NATO: Expenditure"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on NATO's two per cent GDP spending target.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4498", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Ranil Jayawardena"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Hampshire"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Ranil Jayawardena"}
], "uin" : "165114"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/942869", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/942869/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
As at March 2018, there were 1,470 arrears only cases in the Glasgow South West constituency held by the Child Support Agency.<\/p>
<\/p>
As at March 2018, there were 20 arrears cases involving a current liability in the Glasgow South West constituency held by the Child Support Agency.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4105", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Justin Tomlinson"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Swindon"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Justin Tomlinson"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-07-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-07-23T16:03:35.707Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Children: Maintenance"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Child Support Agency (a) arrears-only and (b) arrears cases involving a current liability for a child are open in Glasgow South West constituency.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4463", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Stephens"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow South West"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Stephens"}
], "uin" : "165080"}
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