Record number of employers named and shamed for underpaying workers

More than 350 employers have been named and shamed after the UK Government published its largest ever list of national minimum and living wage offenders.

The Department for Eusiness, Energy and Industrial Strategy today named 360 UK businesses who underpaid 15,520 workers a total of £995,233, with employers in the hairdressing, hospitality and retail sectors the most prolific offenders.

As well as recovering arrears for some of the UK’s lowest paid workers, HMRC issued penalties worth around £800,000.

For the first time, the naming list includes employers who failed to pay eligible workers at least the new National Living Wage rate, which is currently £7.20 for workers aged 25 and over.

Business Minister Margot James said: “Every worker in the UK is entitled to at least the national minimum or living wage and this government will ensure they get it.

“That is why we have named and shamed more than 350 employers who failed to pay the legal minimum, sending the clear message to employers that minimum wage abuses will not go unpunished.”

UK Government Minister for Scotland Lord Dunlop said: “There are simply no excuses for employers who fail to play by the rules and pay employees what they are entitled to.

“We are committed to building an economy that works for everyone, and will ensure that everybody receives the National Living Wage.”

Excuses for underpaying workers included using tips to top up pay, docking workers’ wages to pay for their Christmas party and making staff pay for their own uniforms out of their salary.

Scottish firms named in the list include: