The
Inland Revenue uncovered more than £3.5m in unpaid wages last year – money that
employers didn’t pay by flouting the minimum wage law.
The
government department carried out 6,000 investigations last year – up more than
500 on 2001 – and has now tracked down almost £13m in unpaid earnings since the
minimum wage was introduced in 1999.
Employment
Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said: "There is no room for complacency when it
comes to enforcing the minimum wage, but these latest figures show that we are
winning the war against rogue employers."
On
1 October, the minimum wage will rise to £4.50 an hour for adults, with the
lower, youth rate rising to £3.80.