Rogue employers who do not pay their workers the national minimum wage (NMW) will face an increased penalty of up to £20,000 as part of the Government’s crackdown on employers who break the law.

Currently, employers who break the NMW law must pay the unpaid wages plus a financial penalty calculated as 50 per cent of the total underpayment for all workers found to be underpaid. The maximum penalty an employer can face is £5,000.  

Following an announcement by the Prime Minister before Christmas, the Government will increase the financial penalty percentage from 50 per cent to 100 per cent of the unpaid wages owed to workers. The maximum penalty will increase from £5,000 to £20,000.

Regulations introducing these new limits are subject to Parliamentary approval and are expected to be in force in February 2014.

The Government also wants to go further and will bring in legislation at the earliest opportunity so that the maximum £20,000 penalty can apply to each underpaid worker. 

Commenting, Nuneaton’s MP, Marcus Jones said: “It is unacceptable for employers not to pay at least the national minimum wage and these tougher penalties are aimed at those rogue employers who wilfully break the law. I am pleased that the Government has taken positive action to ensure that more robust penalties are in place for those employers who seek to exploit their employees.”

Adding, the Business Secretary, Vince Cable said: “Anyone entitled to the national minimum wage should receive it. Paying anything less than this is unacceptable, illegal and will be punished by law. So we are bringing in tougher financial penalties to crackdown on those who do not play by the rules. The message is clear – if you break the law, you will face action.

“As well as higher penalties, we have made it easier to name and shame employers who fail to pay their workers what they are due. We are working with HM Revenue and Customs to investigate non-compliance and facilitate prosecutions in the most serious of cases. We also make sure that every complaint made to the free and confidential Pay and Work Rights Helpline is looked at.

“The National Minimum Wage plays an important role in supporting low-paid workers whilst making sure they can still find work. Enforcing this is a key to fairness in our workforce.”