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Wales Online
13 hours ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Workers to receive millions after being underpaid by employers
Workers to receive millions after being underpaid by employers HM Revenue and Customs has forced employers to repay a total of £7.4million to 59,000 members of staff after investigations found they had been underpaid Nearly 60,000 UK workers have been underpaid (Image: Getty Images ) Thousands of workers who have been short-changed are set to receive a collective repayment of over £7.4 million. This is the outcome of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) investigations that ran from 2015 to 2022 and identified 518 employers and businesses as having underpaid close to 60,000 staff members. It includes more than 20 Welsh companies. These employers have since settled their debts with employees and have also been slapped with financial penalties that could reach up to 200% of the owed amount. This restitution arrives in the wake of the minimum wage increasing by 6.7% this April. The hike has seen the hourly minimum wage for those aged 21 and above rise from £11.44 to £12.21, while those between 18 to 20 years old saw an increase from £8.60 to £10, and under-18s and apprentices from £6.40 to £7.55 per hour. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here . The boost comes alongside a major upgrade to the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage, which has effectively put an extra £1,400 in the pockets of full-time workers on the National Living Wage and provided substantial support to millions of families throughout the nation. Alongside this, there has been the introduction of the most consequential enhancements to workers' rights in decades through the Employment Rights Bill. Commenting on the issue, Minister for Employment Rights Justin Madders stated: "There is no excuse for employers to undercut their workers, and we will continue to name companies who break the law and don't pay their employees what they are owed.", reports the Mirror. Article continues below He further emphasised government commitments, saying that "Ensuring workers have the support they need and making sure they receive a fair day's pay for a fair day's work is a key commitment in our Plan for Change. This will put more money in working people's pockets, helping to boost productivity and ending low pay." Baroness Philippa Stroud, Chair of the Low Pay Commission, remarked: "We welcome today's publication. Underpayment leaves workers out of pocket and disadvantages the majority of employers who do abide by the rules. "These naming rounds play an important part in ensuring that all workers receive their full wages and that they are aware there is support for them to ensure that they do." What to do if you've been underpaid To determine if you've been underpaid, scrutinise your payslips against the current minimum wage rates. If your wages appear short, firstly approach your employer to seek a resolution. Failing that, lodge a complaint with HMRC via who will examine your case and ensure any owed pay is reimbursed. Should an employer default on payment, HMRC can issue an arrears notice plus a penalty for not observing the minimum wage requirements. In extreme cases where an employer continues non-compliance, HMRC can initiate court proceedings on the worker's behalf. Additionally, employees can report underpayment by contacting the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) via their pay and work rights helpline at 0300 123 1100. Article continues below
Scotsman
17 hours ago
- Business
- Scotsman
The 8 Edinburgh area businesses named and shamed for not paying minimum wage to staff
More than 500 employers have been named by the UK Government for failing to pay staff minimum wage – including several businesses in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The list, which was published by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), highlights firms that failed to pay employees the national minimum wage, or the national living wage, which is what the UK Government calls the minimum wage for people aged over 21. More than 60,000 workers were left out of pocket as a result, the Department for Business and Trade said. Employers being named across the UK include major high street brands, in a clear message from the UK Government that no employers are exempt from paying their workers the statutory minimum wage. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad According to the DBT, 518 employers and businesses across the UK underpaid workers over several years. It included 44 Scottish firms in total, with eight of them based in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Following investigations by HMRC between 2015 and 2022, all the workers left short will be repaid a combined £7.4 million. The national living wage was £11.44 in the year to the end of March, and has risen to £12.21 since April. For 18-20-year-olds, the minimum wage rose to £10 this year, and for those aged under 18 it rose to £7.55. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Minister for Employment Rights, Justin Madders, says: 'There is no excuse for employers to undercut their workers, and we will continue to name companies who break the law and don't pay their employees what they are owed. 'Ensuring workers have the support they need and making sure they receive a fair day's pay for a fair day's work is a key commitment in our Plan for Change. This will put more money in working people's pockets, helping to boost productivity and ending low pay.' Not all minimum wage underpayments are intentional, the UK Government said, but those who do not pay staff correctly will be penalised. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Edinburgh and Lothians businesses found to have breached the National Minimum Wage law are as follows: Thrive Childcare and Education Limited, Musselburgh, EH21, failed to pay £19,420.47 to 24 workers. The Stair Arms Hotel Ltd, Midlothian, EH37, failed to pay £6,787.54 to 1 person Mr Thomas Hutchison, Prestonpans, EH32, failed to pay £1,901.44 to 1 worker. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Biscuit Clothing Ltd, Edinburgh, EH10, failed to pay £1,469.89 to 1 worker. KR Scotland Ltd, Edinburgh, EH3, failed to pay £849.21 to 3 workers. Le Petit Francais Ltd, Edinburgh, EH6, failed to pay £744.52 to 10 workers. Craig Gordon Building Services Ltd, Edinburgh, EH11, failed to pay £680.17 to 1 worker. MacDonald Hotels (Management) Limited, Bathgate, EH48, failed to pay £648.78 to 1 worker.
Pembrokeshire Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Workers to receive wage boost as government cracks down on underpayment
THOUSANDS of workers in Wales are set to benefit from a financial uplift as the UK Government delivers what it calls the most significant upgrade to workers' rights in a generation. The Department for Business and Trade has confirmed that 21 employers in Wales have been named and shamed for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage. These employers are among 518 businesses across the UK who have been ordered to repay over £7.4 million to nearly 60,000 underpaid workers. Investigations by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) into these breaches took place between 2015 and 2022. All of the businesses named have since repaid the wages owed and faced financial penalties of up to 200% of the underpayment. This action forms part of the UK Government's wider Plan for Change, which includes a major uplift in the National Living Wage (NLW) and National Minimum Wage (NMW). The April 2025 increase has given full-time workers on the NLW a £1,400 annual pay rise, benefitting around 150,000 workers in Wales alone. Minister for Employment Rights, Justin Madders MP, said: 'There is no excuse for employers to undercut their workers, and we will continue to name companies who break the law and don't pay their employees what they are owed. Ensuring workers have the support they need and making sure they receive a fair day's pay for a fair day's work is a key commitment in our Plan for Change. This will put more money in working people's pockets, helping to boost productivity and end low pay.' The Government says these measures reflect its ongoing commitment to building a stronger economy by ensuring financial security for workers and taking firm action against non-compliant employers. National Minimum and Living Wage Rates: Category 2024 Rate 2025 Rate National Living Wage (21+) £11.44 £12.21 18 to 20 £8.60 £10.00 Under 18 £6.40 £7.55 Apprentice £6.40 £7.55
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
National Minimum Wage breaches found at firms in Wales
The government announced that these businesses were part of a group of 518 across the UK that failed to pay their workers more than £7.4 million collectively, leaving nearly 60,000 workers out of pocket. The businesses, which included Mini Me Private Day Nursery in Newport, Barry Tyre Centre and SWBC in Caerphilly, have since repaid their staff and faced financial penalties of up to 200 per cent of their underpayment. Other businesses named and shamed include Shuko in Monmouthshire, Playworks Childcare in Caerphilly, P.B Services (Wales) Limited in Pontypridd, APC Panels, Holton Road Stores, Classic Decorators (UK), all in the Vale of Glamorgan, and Sage Hair Care and AFH Ltd, both in Cardiff. Further west, Andrew Milward Joinery in Pembrokeshire, MRB Cleaning Limited and Lakeside Day Nursery Limited, both in Swansea also join the list. Other Welsh businesses include M&C Jones Building Contractors Limited and The Wild Pheasant, both in Denbigshire, Buck House Hotel in Wrexham, Soughton Shoot Limited iS & S Care (UK) Limited, both in Flintshire, and Maner Hotel in Powys, The investigations by HMRC concluded between 2015 and 2022. The government said this was part of its latest move to "Make Work Pay" following a significant uplift to the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage. This uplift is set to put £1,400 into the pockets of full-time workers on the National Living Wage. The National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over will rise from £11.44 to £12.21. Minister for Employment Rights, Justin Madders, said: "There is no excuse for employers to undercut their workers, and we will continue to name companies who break the law and don't pay their employees what they are owed. "Ensuring workers have the support they need and making sure they receive a fair day's pay for a fair day's work is a key commitment in our Plan for Change. "This will put more money in working people's pockets, helping to boost productivity and ending low pay."
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Is your employer on this list of Welsh companies that failed to pay minimum wage?
Is your employer on this list of Welsh companies that failed to pay minimum wage? 518 UK employers have been named and shamed for leaving staff members out of pocket Nearly 60,000 UK workers have been underpaid (Image: PA ) More than 20 Welsh companies have been included on a list of more than 500 UK employers which have failed to pay some of their staff minimum living wage. The Government published the list, which included big names such as Pizza Express, Lidl, British Airways, Prezzo, Halfords and TUI, this afternoon The Department for Business and Trade discovered almost 60,000 workers were left out of pocket by companies which had underpaid staff for several years, racking up a huge £7.4m. All the businesses named have since paid their staff back and faced financial penalties of up to 200% of their underpayment. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here . On the top of the list is one of the government's largest suppliers, Capita, which owed £1.15m to 5,543 workers. Alongside it, dining out giant Pizza Express was outed for failing to pay £760,702 to 8,470 workers. Full list of Welsh companies on the list Shuko Monmouthshire Buck House Hotel Wrexham A.P.C. Panels Ltd Vale of Glamorgan Lakeside Day Nursery Limited Swansea Maner Hotel P.B Services Limited Rhondda Cynon Taf Sage Hair Care Filco Supermarkets Limited Vale of Glamorgan AFH Ltd Cardiff S&S Care Limited Flintshire Andrew Milward Joinery Pembrokeshire M&C Jones Building Contractors Limited Denbighshire MRB Cleaning Limited Swansea Mini Me Private Day Nursery Limited Newport The Wild Pheasant Denbighshire Barry Tyre Centre Limited Vale of Glamorgan Holton Road Stores Vale of Glamorgan Soughton Shoot Limited Flintshire Playworks Childcare Limited Caerphilly Classic Decorators (UK) Limited Vale of Glamorgan Article continues below The Government has encouraged anyone who thinks they may be being underpaid, to check on their website. Minister for Employment Rights, Justin Madders, warned: "There is no excuse for employers to undercut their workers, and we will continue to name companies who break the law and don't pay their employees what they are owed."
