Government names and shames largest ever number of National Minimum Wage offenders
A further 70 employers who failed to pay their workers the National Minimum Wage have been named.
Businesses named in the care, retail and hospitality sectors
A further 70 employers who failed to pay their workers the National Minimum Wage (NMW) have been named today (24 February 2015) by Business Minister Jo Swinson, bringing the overall total named and shamed to 162.
Between them, these 70 employers owed workers a total of over £157,000 in arrears and have been charged financial penalties totalling over £70,000.
The government has already named 92 employers since the new naming regime came into force in October 2013. They had total arrears of over £316,000 and total penalties of over £111,000.
To support the minimum wage crackdown, the government will also be increasing HMRC’s £9.2 million enforcement budget by a further £3 million, helping to fund more than 70 extra compliance officers.
Business Minister Jo Swinson said:
Paying less than the minimum wage is illegal, immoral and completely unacceptable. Naming and shaming gives a clear warning to employers who ignore the rules, that they will face reputational consequences as well as financial penalties of up to £20,000 if they don’t pay the minimum wage.
We’re working hard in areas where we know there are particular problems, like the care sector, to make sure staff are paid fairly for the hard work they do.
We are legislating through the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill so that this penalty can be applied to each underpaid worker rather than per employer.
We are helping workers recover the hundreds of thousands of pounds in pay owed to them as well as raising awareness to make sure workers are paid fairly in the first place.
The government examines non-compliance in a number of ways and takes action where it identifies particular problems or challenges. Around 100 care sector cases are currently being investigated and 3 employers have been publically named, for failing to pay the minimum wage. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has also launched proactive investigation into 6 of the largest employers in the care sector.
Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb said:
We want a fairer society where everyone gets the care they deserve - to do this we need a skilled, valued and fairly paid workforce. There is absolutely no excuse for employers that fail to pay the minimum wage.
We know the 100 care companies being investigated are just the tip of the iceberg in the care sector and are absolutely committed to getting back the wages people have worked so hard for. We will continue to name, shame and fine these employers until every care provider gets the message.
HMRC is working with the Department of Health, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and the care sector to understand more about the causes of non-compliance with the national minimum wage in the care sector and to raise awareness of the minimum wage with employers and care workers. This includes making sure that employees know how to complain if they believe they are not being paid the national minimum wage.
The 70 employers named today are:
- East Midlands Crossroads - Caring for Carers, Nottingham, neglected to pay £37,592.56 to 184 workers
- Delcom Systems Ltd, Salisbury neglected to pay £11,731.52 to a worker
- S Hanns LLP, Chatham neglected to pay £8,448.84 to a worker
- The Apostolic Church trading as James Kane Nursery, London, neglected to pay £8,347.71 to 2 workers
- Young Friends Nursery Ltd, Hove, neglected to pay £6,789.71 to a worker
- Station Garage (Little Weighton) Ltd, Little Weighton neglected to pay £5,440.77 to 2 workers
- KRCS (Digital Solutions) Ltd, Nottingham, neglected to pay £5,161.85 to 5 workers
- Mrs Shirley Elvin trading as Seaton Garage & Engineering Co, Hull, neglected to pay £4,840.31 to a worker
- Pontcanna Hair Studio Ltd, Cardiff, neglected to pay £4,784.34 to a worker
- Carol Ann Daker trading as Swan Hill House Residential Home, Shropshire, neglected to pay £4,395.78 to 27 workers
- Hobby Horse Ltd, Plymouth, neglected to pay £4,049.31 to a worker
- Fylde Coast Pizza Ltd trading as Papa Johns, Blackpool, neglected to pay £3,949.62 to 14 workers
- Manleys Ltd, Belfast, neglected to pay £3,797.83 to 3 workers
- J B Howard and Son Ltd, Leyland, neglected to pay £3,469.96 to 7 workers
- Mr L Tolman & Mr S Blanchard trading as Mardi Gras Hotel, Blackpool, neglected to pay £3,206.76 to 3 workers
- Stafforce Personnel Ltd, Rotherham, neglected to pay £3,044.79 to 63 workers
- Best Start Ltd trading as Tiny Treasures Day Care Nursery, Birmingham, neglected to pay £2,928.95 to 2 workers
- Maybury Automotive Ltd, Woking, neglected to pay £2,670.88 to 2 workers
- C&R Tyres Ltd, Kelso, neglected to pay £2,261.60 to 3 workers
- SSE PLC, Perth neglected to pay £2,233.95 to 5 workers
- Encore Envelopes Ltd, Washington, neglected to pay £2,060.09 to a worker
- SmileyWorld Ltd, London, neglected to pay £1,729.00 to a worker
- Mancroft Ltd, Leeds, neglected to pay £1,172.97 to 3 workers
- Kevin & Bernadette Farrell trading as Derrygonnelly Autos, Enniskillen, neglected to pay £1,690.35 to a worker
- Delves Food & Wine Stop Ltd trading as Loco, Walsall, neglected to pay £1,152.48 to a worker
- Webe (Chelmsford) Ltd, Chelmsford, neglected to pay £1,521.98 to 4 workers
- Gregson Lane Garage Ltd, Preston, neglected to pay £1,431.57 to 2 workers
- Ms Julie Ann Wright trading as The Worx, Portadown, neglected to pay £1,110.60 to a worker
- Mr S Partridge & Ms M Shead trading as Cobblers Fine Sandwiches & Pastries, Wakefield, neglected to pay £1,003.83 to a worker
- Mr Phillip Campbell & Mrs Lorraine Campbell trading as Supervalu Kells, Ballymena, neglected to pay £905.86 to 2 workers
- Mr C Pask trading as Pask Hair & Beauty, Derby, neglected to pay £900.00 to 2 workers
- J&G Salon Ltd trading as Jealousi & Garlands, Tamworth, neglected to pay £881.28 to a worker
- Faster Fit Tyres Ltd, Scunthorpe, neglected to pay £719.30 to a worker
- Mrs Karen Aitken trading as Angel Hair Design, Darlington, neglected to pay £703.33 to a worker
- Clearshot Ltd, Manchester, neglected to pay £684.94 to a worker
- Everest Express Ltd, Lincoln, neglected to pay £657.03 to a worker
- Leisure Emporium Ltd trading as Brown’s Cafe Bar & Bistro, Nottingham, neglected to pay £643.86 to a worker
- Mrs S Walker trading as Alleyways Fish & Chips, Scarborough, neglected to pay £601.59 to a worker
- Gary & Toni Valentine trading as The Harbour Inn, Seaton, neglected to pay £584.42 to a worker
- Shreeji Barnsley Ltd trading as Coffee Delight, Buxton, neglected to pay £555.70 to a worker
- Rowe Sparkes Solicitors Ltd, Southsea, neglected to pay £530.96 to a worker
- Fish Hairdressing Company Ltd, trading as Fish Hairdressing, London neglected to pay £521.82 to 3 workers
- Mrs Deborah Adcock trading as LJ Beauty & Hair, Seaham, neglected to pay £463.60 to a worker
- D&D Dies Ltd, Nottingham, neglected to pay £446.37 to a worker
- G Joynson, D Joynson and C Joynson trading as Headquarters, Withernsea, neglected to pay £430.07 to a worker
- Matchesfashion Ltd, London, neglected to pay £375.61 to 2 workers
- Colin Saich trading as Lindcoly Kennels, Bury St. Edmunds, neglected to pay £338.41 to 9 workers
- Inn2inns Ltd, Middlesbrough, neglected to pay £323.10 to 2 workers
- 99p Land Ltd, Swindon, neglected to pay £315.26 to a worker
- General Tarleton Ltd, Knaresborough, neglected to pay £300.62 to 6 workers
- Western Computer Group Ltd, Bristol, neglected to pay £287.54 to a worker
- Matrix Electrical Engineering Ltd, Harlow neglected to pay £286.60 to a worker
- Honeybees Childcare Ltd, Preston, neglected to pay £276.30 to a worker
- Mr G J Pearce trading as Sheppards Wood Service Station, Nottingham, neglected to pay £268.56 to a worker
- The Mirrors Ltd, Manchester, neglected to pay £262.87 to a worker
- A1 Techsol Ltd, Manchester, neglected to pay £233.47 to a worker
- Mrs J Cole trading as Rayleigh Retreat, Rayleigh £231.73 to a worker
- Hamlet Homes Properties Ltd, Westcliff-on-Sea neglected to pay £226.40 to a worker
- Smartmove Property Specialists Ltd, Aldershot, neglected to pay £206.36 to a worker
- EYFS Ltd trading as Oak Tree Day Nursery, Forest Hill, London, neglected to pay £181.41 to a worker
- Mr & Mrs P Munn trading as Merry Maids of the Weald, Tonbridge, neglected to pay £169.56 to a worker
- Mr H Singleton trading as Willowbank Builders, Huddersfield, neglected to pay £163.89 to a worker
- Professional Referral Services Ltd, Wigan, neglected to pay £156.93 to 2 workers
- Amtec Computer Corporation Ltd, Ferndown, neglected to pay £149.64 to a worker
- Lychgate Coffee Ltd, Wolverhampton, neglected to pay £124.39 to a worker
- Finite International Logistics Ltd, Penarth, neglected to pay £119.92 to a worker
- Drummonds Ltd, Manchester, neglected to pay £113.58 to a worker
- Grove Mechanical Services Ltd, Magherafelt, neglected to pay £107.00 to 2 workers
- Lin Chinese Takeaway Ltd, Stoke-on-Trent, neglected to pay £103.00 to a worker
- Mr Assad Madani trading as Donapapa Pizza, Durham, neglected to pay £101.64 a worker
The 70 cases named today were thoroughly investigated by HM Revenue and Customs.
The scheme was revised in October 2013 to make it simpler to name and shame employers that do not comply with minimum wage rules.
Employers who are unsure of National Minimum Wage rules, and employees who would like advice or to complain that they are not receiving the National Minimum Wage, can get free advice via the Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368 or by visiting GOV.UK.
Notes to editors
- Employers have a duty to be aware of the different legal rates for the National Minimum Wage.
The current National Minimum Wage rates are:
- adult rate (21 and over) - £6.50 per hour
- 18 to 20 year olds - £5.13 per hour
- 16 to 17 year olds - £3.79 per hour
- apprentice rate - £2.73 per hour
The apprentice rate applies to apprentices aged 16 to 18 years and those aged 19 years and over who are in their first year. All other apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage rate for their age.
2.The government is committed to increasing compliance with minimum wage legislation and effective enforcement of it. Everyone who is entitled to the minimum wage should receive it. The BIS scheme to name employers who break minimum wage law came into effect on 1 January 2011. The scheme is one of a range of tools at the government’s disposal to tackle this issue. Employers who pay workers less than the minimum wage not only have to pay back arrears of wages at current minimum wage rates but also face financial penalties of up to £20,000. In the most serious cases employers can be prosecuted.
3.From 1 October 2013 the government revised the naming scheme to make it simpler to name and shame employers who break the law. Under this scheme the government will name all employers that have been issued with a Notice of Underpayment (NoU) unless employers meet one of the exceptional criteria or have arrears of £100 or less. All 70 cases named today failed to pay the national minimum wage and have arrears of over £100.
4.Employers have 28 days to appeal to HMRC against the NoU (this notice sets out the owed wages to be paid by the employer together with the penalty for not complying with minimum wage law). If the employer does not appeal or unsuccessfully appeals against this NoU, BIS will consider them for naming. The employer then has 14 days to make representations to BIS outlining whether they meet any of the exceptional criteria:
- naming by BIS carries a risk of personal harm to an individual or their family
- there are national security risks associated with naming in this instance
- other factors which suggest that it would not be in the public interest to name the employer (employer to provide details)
If BIS does not receive any representations or the representations received are unsuccessful, the employer will be named via a BIS press release under this scheme.
5.Further information about the revised BIS NMW naming scheme can be found at Enforcing national minimum wage law
6.A video containing advice for employers on the National Minimum Wage can be found at ‘rates from October 2014 and advices from employers and employees’