Over 500 employers have been named by government for failing to pay staff the minimum wage.
According to the latest list from the Department for Business and Trade, 524 employers were found to have failed to pay their workers nearly £16 million in a clear breach of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) law, leaving over 172,000 workers out of pocket.
Employers being named include major high street brands, in a clear message from government that no employers are exempt from paying their workers the statutory minimum wage.
The businesses named in the list have since paid back what they owe to their staff and have also faced financial penalties of up to 200% of their underpayment. The investigations by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) concluded between 2015 and 2023.
Within the furnishings sector, four companies were named and included B & Q PLC, which failed to pay £33,887.41 to 77 workers, Sia Abrafoam Limited, which supplies abrasive solutions across a variety of industries including furniture production, failed to pay £6,765.75 to 21 workers.
Furthermore, Haylock Furnishing (South) Limited, trading as Carpet Barn and The Bedstore, failed to pay £1,995.21 to 8 workers and Harrods Limited failed to pay £775.04 to 1 worker.
Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business Kevin Hollinrake said: “Employees deserve to get paid properly for the hard work they put in.
“While the majority of businesses already do the right thing and pay their staff what they are owed, the announcement sends a message to the minority who aren’t – that there are repercussions to undercutting hard work from their staff.
“Whilst not all minimum wage underpayments are intentional, the government has been clear that anyone entitled to be paid the minimum wage should receive it, and that enforcement action will be taken against employers who do not pay their staff correctly.”
This year marks 25 years since the introduction of the National Minimum Wage and this year’s increase will see 16–17-year-olds on the minimum wage receive a rise of 21.2%. This year, the government has also met a manifesto commitment of the National Living Wage equalling two-thirds of median earnings by 2024, ending low hourly pay for those aged 21 and over.
For the full list, click here.
