Skip to main content

Written question asked by Paul Blomfield (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 March 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 March 2015 (named day). It was answered by Jo Swinson (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 23 March 2015 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.


Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether he plans to increase the resources and staffing available to the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

The Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EAS) enforce the Employment Agencies Act 1973 and the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 (both as amended).

We have doubled EAS resource this financial year and will increase resource again for the financial year 2015/16. This additional resource is being used for targeted enforcement in high risk areas in order to protect the most vulnerable agency workers.

In February, EAS inspectors led a targeted enforcement operation in the Sheffield area. They were accompanied by officers from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC’s) National Minimum Wage (NMW) team and, on some visits, by the Pensions Regulator.

During the inspections of 15 employment businesses, EAS identified 32 potential breaches of the Conduct Regulations, as well as a potential breach of the Employment Agencies Act. Where breaches were identified, warning letters were issued and the agencies were required to change practices and demonstrate compliance or face further enforcement action.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
228233
Session
2014-15
Related items
Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate
Thursday, 26 March 2015
Written questions
House of Commons
Employment Agencies: Inspections
Thursday, 26 March 2015
Written questions
House of Commons
Employment Agencies: Inspections
Thursday, 26 March 2015
Written questions
House of Commons
Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate
Thursday, 26 March 2015
Written questions
House of Commons
Show all related items (6)
Minimum Wage
Thursday, 26 March 2015
Written questions
House of Commons
Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate
Thursday, 26 March 2015
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Staff Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk