Sir David Metcalf has been named as the first director of Labour Market Enforcement to oversee a government crackdown on exploitation in the workplace.
Metcalf, who was chairman of the Migration Advisory Committee until August 2016, will set the strategic priorities for the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate and HMRC’s National Minimum Wage enforcement team.
For the first time, the three agencies are centralising their intelligence, enabling the director to draw up an annual strategy targeting sectors and regions that are vulnerable to unscrupulous employment practices.
Metcalf will also work alongside the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner to better tackle exploitation and slavery in the labour market.
The announcement comes ahead of the launch of a £1.7 million national minimum and living wage awareness raising campaign later this month. It will help make sure the UK’s lowest paid workers receive the correct rates of pay when they go up on 1 April and know what steps to take if they do not.
Metcalf said: “I’m very excited to be taking on this new role, drawing together the important work of these three labour market enforcement teams.
“While the UK is by and large a fair and safe place to work, there are still rogue employers who exploit their workers and undercut honest businesses. As the government has made clear, this will not go unpunished.”
Business minister Margot James added: “Sir David’s extensive experience will be invaluable in this hugely important role to help stamp out workplace exploitation and ensure that when unscrupulous employment practices are found, justice is done for those affected.
“As we have made clear, the government is determined to make sure the economy works for all. That’s why we are investing £1.7m in a national minimum and living wage awareness raising campaign alongside a record £25.3m on national minimum and living wage enforcement next year to make sure the UK’s lowest paid workers get the pay rise they deserve.”
New powers were also recently introduced to emprison rogue employers for up to two years if found guilty of serious or repeat labour market offences.
In addition, the Chancellor last month unveiled an extra £4.3m a year in funding for national minimum and living wage enforcement, taking the government’s total spend to £25.3m for the coming year.
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