Regulatory enforcement regimes

Some important employment rights are enforced by statutory regulators. Regulators have the power to impose penalties such as fines and enforcement notices, and sometimes to “name and shame” offending employers. Key regulators operating in the employment sphere include:

• HMRC — responsible for enforcing the national minimum wage and for collection of tax and national insurance (see Chapter 4);

• Health and safety inspectors employed by the Health and Safety Executive (see LRD’s annual guide Health and safety law www.lrdpublications.org.uk/publications.php?pub=BK&iss=1736);

• The Gangmasters’ Licensing Authority, regulating businesses who provide workers to the fresh produce supply chain and horticulture industry (see page 38); and

• UK Visas and Immigration, a division of the Home Office (see page 60).