More than 7,600 complaints were lodged last year, as HMRC issued 335 penalties totalling 2.4m
21 April 2026
The number of whistleblowing tip-offs received by HMRC about employers failing to pay the national minimum wage (NMW) has reached a five-year-high.
More than 7,600 whistleblower reports were filed in the 12 months to 5 April 2025, representing a 360 per cent increase since 2020-21, according to data obtained by TWM Solicitors.
The increase comes as minimum wage rates have risen over recent years. The national living wage for those aged 21 and over rose to 12.71 per hour on 1 April 2026, with NMW rates increasing to 10.85 for 18 to 20 year olds and 8.00 for under 18s and apprentices.
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The rise in reports is expected to continue as cost pressures on employers grow, according to Andrew Peters, partner in the employment law team at TWM Solicitors.
“It’s clear that many businesses in sectors such as retail and hospitality, where starting salaries are just above the NMW, are under particular pressure to keep their payroll costs down,” he said.
David Morgan, managing director at Veremark and head of its whistleblower technology solutions division, said recent changes to the law could be playing a role.
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