Announcing the tougher approach last week, trade and industry secretary Alistair Darling said, 'Workers have the right to a decent minimum wage and we are determined that they get it. To those employers avoiding the minimum wage the message is, don't pay it and you'll pay the fine.'
The move follows last month's pre-Budget report in which Chancellor Gordon Brown signalled his backing for imposing heftier penalties on the worst offenders. He doubled, to 9m, the funding provided for monitoring and policing compliance with the wage laws.
Who enforces the NMW?
Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) enforces NMW requirements on the Government's behalf. It has 16 compliance teams spread across the country.
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