TUC worried by rise in the number of people paid below the minimum wage

Commenting on the latest annual pay statistics published today (Wednesday) by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which show 362,000 people were paid below the minimum wage in 2016 – a 73% increase from the previous year – TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“These figures are very worrying. The government must use next month’s Autumn Statement to beef-up minimum wage enforcement.

“There should be no hiding place for bosses who try to cheat their workers out of fair day’s pay. Failing to pay the minimum wage squeezes those who have the least.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The ONS low pay estimates, which are based on PAYE data, should not be taken as a complete measure of minimum wage underpayment, says the TUC. Today’s figures exclude many of the common minimum wage scams, such as bogus self-employment, volunteering and internships. They also do not cover the underreporting of hours worked in sectors like social care.

- When the minimum wage rate increases and covers more workers the risk of underpayment increases, which is why the TUC is calling for more investment in enforcement.

- Today’s figures include some employees who are exempt from the minimum wage, including ministers of religion, some au-pairs and higher education students employed on placements.

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