Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 25
25
Deferred
Paragraph: 148
Establish a single labour market enforcement body combining existing agencies for clarity
Recommendation
We believe that the Government should proceed with the establishment of a single enforcement body, bringing together the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and the National Minimum Wage Team. We believe that a single organisation would provide clarity for those most in need and would offer benefits in sharing of information.
Government Response Summary
The government states it is reviewing the creation of a Single Enforcement Body due to limits on parliamentary time, while committing to continue investing in existing labour market enforcement bodies and supporting their collaboration.
Paragraph Reference:
148
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
This Government remains wholly committed to workers’ rights and enforcement. However, we need to be realistic about what we can achieve given the limits on parliamentary time. We are reviewing what this means for the creation of the Single Enforcement Body which would be a substantial organisational change. In the meantime, we continue to invest significantly in the existing labour market enforcement bodies,and are working with the Director of Labour Market Enforcement to ensure that they are supported to work together as effectively as possible. The Government remains committed to the enforcement of workers’ rights. Over the decade from 2010 to 2020 the UK funding to the labour market enforcement bodies (HMRC’s National Minimum Wage Team, Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate and Gangmasters Labour Abuse Authority) has increased to over £35 Million representing a 121% increase. As of May 2023, there are approximately 400 HMRC staff involved in the enforcement of the minimum wage. The GLAA currently have 56 enforcement officers and EAS have 36 FTE posts which have front line inspection capacity.