A GLAA spokesperson told Recruiter that this was “more than double” the numbers before the body’s remit and powers were widened in April, allowing it to investigate labour market abuse and exploitation in any sector in England and Wales.

The GLAA now has the power to investigate offences under the Employment Agencies Act 1973 and the National Minimum Wage Act 1988.

A spokesperson said the organisation was focusing on “beefing up” recruitment of its operational frontline staff. This included its intelligence team, where it currently has three vacancies. “We are an intelligence-led organisation that is fuelled by the intelligence reports that we get” from the public, workers and employers, said the spokesperson.

“We are trying to force ourselves into new areas where people aren’t entirely sure whether or not we operate,” said the spokesperson. Recently, the GLAA carried out raids on hand car wash businesses in Nottingham.

The recruitment drive has been helped by “a significant hike in our budget”, said the spokesperson.

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