Around 660 employers named for failing to pay the minimum wage

Around 660 employers across the UK have been named by the Government for failing to pay their staff the National Minimum Wage. Around £4 million has been returned to more than 27,000 workers who were denied the pay they were legally owed, and the employers responsible were issued penalties totalling £7 million.

This is the first naming round since the Fair Work Agency was set up in April. The new body was formed through the Employment Rights Act to bring the enforcement of workers' rights under one roof for the first time. HM Revenue and Customs enforces the minimum wage on its behalf, and the agency is soon set to tackle employers who deny holiday and sick pay.

The largest underpayment on the list was by B&Q Limited, of Eastleigh, which failed to pay £456,934.72 to 4,530 workers. Elysium Healthcare Holdings 3 Limited, of Borehamwood, failed to pay £330,048.81 to 1,095 workers. Five Guys JV Limited, of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, failed to pay £54,642.47 to 3,699 workers.

Since the naming scheme began in 2011, more than £100 million in penalties has been issued to over 5,200 employers, and over £66 million has been repaid to 650,000 workers.

Minimum wage law applies to most workers in all parts of the UK. From April 2026, the rates are £12.71 an hour for workers aged 21 and over, £10.85 for those aged 18 to 20, and £8 for under-18s and apprentices. Workers must be paid at least the rate for their age, or apprentice status, for all the time they spend working.

Workers who suspect they are being underpaid can visit gov.uk/checkyourpay, and free, impartial and confidential advice is available from Acas. Minister for the Future of Work Kate Dearden said: "Every employer should check their payroll now and reach out to Acas if they need further support."