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Government 'names and shames' minimum wage underpayers Government 'names and shames' minimum wage underpayers
(about 1 hour later)
A list of 25 employers who failed to pay workers the minimum wage has been released by the government.A list of 25 employers who failed to pay workers the minimum wage has been released by the government.
They are the latest offenders to be "named and shamed" under rules that came into effect last October.They are the latest offenders to be "named and shamed" under rules that came into effect last October.
Between them they owe more than £43,000 to staff and have been ordered to pay fines totalling more than £21,000.Between them they owe more than £43,000 to staff and have been ordered to pay fines totalling more than £21,000.
Business minister Jenny Willott said: "If employers break the law they need to know they will face tough consequences."Business minister Jenny Willott said: "If employers break the law they need to know they will face tough consequences."
The national minimum wage is currently £6.31 an hour for adults and will rise to £6.50 from October.The national minimum wage is currently £6.31 an hour for adults and will rise to £6.50 from October.
'Wrong and illegal''Wrong and illegal'
The employers were investigated by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) after members of staff called a free helpline to report they were being underpaid.The employers were investigated by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) after members of staff called a free helpline to report they were being underpaid.
They include a school in Edinburgh which underpaid an employee by £3,739 and a garage in Bradford that failed to pay a worker £6,426.They include a school in Edinburgh which underpaid an employee by £3,739 and a garage in Bradford that failed to pay a worker £6,426.
The government's "naming and shaming" initiative is one of a number of measures it has introduced for employers who break the minimum wage law.The government's "naming and shaming" initiative is one of a number of measures it has introduced for employers who break the minimum wage law.
Those who underpay now face penalties of up to £20,000, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said.Those who underpay now face penalties of up to £20,000, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said.
Plans - as outlined in the Queen's Speech - are under way so that employers will face a £20,000 fine per employee who is underpaid.Plans - as outlined in the Queen's Speech - are under way so that employers will face a £20,000 fine per employee who is underpaid.
Twelve of the employers underpaid staff by four-figure sums. They are:Twelve of the employers underpaid staff by four-figure sums. They are:
Ms Willott said: "Paying less than the minimum wage is not only wrong, it's illegal.Ms Willott said: "Paying less than the minimum wage is not only wrong, it's illegal.
"If employers break the law they need to know that they will face tough consequences. Any worker who is entitled to the minimum wage should receive it.""If employers break the law they need to know that they will face tough consequences. Any worker who is entitled to the minimum wage should receive it."
The remaining employers named by the government are:The remaining employers named by the government are:
'Clear deterrent''Clear deterrent'
HMRC said this week that more than £4.6m had been paid out to 22,000 people, including staff at a Premier League club, who had been paid less than the minimum wage.HMRC said this week that more than £4.6m had been paid out to 22,000 people, including staff at a Premier League club, who had been paid less than the minimum wage.
The unnamed football club, which made staff pay for their uniforms and also made deductions for travelling time, had to pay arrears of more than £27,500 to 3,000 workers.The unnamed football club, which made staff pay for their uniforms and also made deductions for travelling time, had to pay arrears of more than £27,500 to 3,000 workers.
Another case involved a recruitment agency that was ordered to pay more than £167,000 after classifying some workers as unpaid interns.Another case involved a recruitment agency that was ordered to pay more than £167,000 after classifying some workers as unpaid interns.
TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "It is shocking that some employers - including those who pay certain star staff millions of pounds a year - are cheating low-paid workers out of the minimum wage.TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "It is shocking that some employers - including those who pay certain star staff millions of pounds a year - are cheating low-paid workers out of the minimum wage.
"The penalties won by HMRC - which the government are rightly making even bigger - should be a clear deterrent to any bad bosses thinking about short-changing their staff.""The penalties won by HMRC - which the government are rightly making even bigger - should be a clear deterrent to any bad bosses thinking about short-changing their staff."
Have you ever been paid less than minimum wage? What is your reaction to this story? You can send us your comments by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "minimum wage".