The full list of 208 employers who breached minimum wage rules

Schuh, Matalan and Waterstones are among more than 200 employers across the UK who broke minimum wage laws when paying staff, according to the Government.

There were 208 firms that failed to pay around £1.2 million to their workers, breaking national minimum wage laws.

It left about 12,000 workers out of pocket, the Government said.

What has the Government said?

“We want workers to know that we’re on their side and they must be treated fairly by their employers, which is why paying the legal minimum wage should be non-negotiable for businesses,” said Minister for Labour Markets Paul Scully.

“Today’s 208 businesses, whatever their size, should know better than to short-change hard-working employees, regardless of whether it was intentional or not.

“With Christmas fast approaching, it’s more important than ever that cash is not withheld from the pockets of workers. So don’t be a scrooge – pay your staff properly.”

The most common problem among the named companies was that they deducted money from staff’s wages to pay for expenses such as work uniforms. About 37% of businesses fell into this trap.

Meanwhile, 29% did not pay for mandatory training, trial shifts or travel time, 16% did not pay enough to apprentices, and 11% did not increase what they paid staff when the minimum wage was hiked, or paid younger workers at the wrong rate.

House of Fraser failed to pay over £16,000 to 354 workers, Schuh failed to pay £807 to 39 staff and Waterstones failed to pay nearly £8,700 to 58 staff.

What have some of the employers said?

The current House of Fraser owner, Frasers Group, said that the claims come from before it bought House of Fraser in 2018.

It said: “In short, these breaches are historic and relate to the activities of the old House of Fraser company that is now in administration and is nothing at all to do with any activities of the new House of Fraser business that is owned by Frasers Group.”

Other high-profile offenders include sandwich-maker Greencore.

Greencore said: “Greencore can confirm that it inadvertently made underpayments to some of its employees in the past due to errors in applying administration fees and in calculating salary sacrifice deductions.

“Upon identification of the issue, the group refunded all affected employees their arrears of pay, as confirmed by HMRC.”

 Other named businesses have been contacted for comment.

What else has been said?

Low Pay Commission chair Bryan Sanderson said: “The minimum wage is a success story welcomed by employees and employers alike, but it only works if everyone without exception obeys the law.

“We hope this latest naming round can continue to raise awareness of the most common mistakes businesses make and help protect low-paid workers from unfair treatment.”

Trades Union Congress general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Every worker deserves fair pay for their work.

“There’s no excuse for not paying the minimum wage. Firms who cheat staff out of their hard-earned money deserve to be named and shamed.

“We also need to see prosecutions and higher fines for the most serious offenders, especially those who deliberately flout the law. Minimum wage underpayment is still far too common in Britain.”

Which employers are on the list?

• The Challenge Network - Liquidation 26 May 2020, Lambeth, SE1, failed to pay £154,682.33 to 3,600 workers.
• Mr Rupert Galliers-Pratt, Northumberland, NE43, failed to pay £64,094.37 to 7 workers.
• The Feel Good Group Limited, trading as The Tanning Shop, Darlington, DL1, failed to pay £34,738.83 to 355 workers.
• Belmont Day Nursery Ltd, Redbridge, IG1, failed to pay £31,599.90 to 11 workers.
• Hanmi Gallery Limited, Camden, W1T, failed to pay £28,999.51 to 8 workers.
• J E Beale Public Limited Company - Administration 20 January 2020, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH1, failed to pay £25,005.67 to 1,177 workers.
• Nike Group Hotels Limited, trading as Coppid Beech Hotel, Bracknell Forest, RG12, failed to pay £24,862.62 to 138 workers.
• Mere Golf & Country Club Limited, Cheshire East, WA16, failed to pay £24,337.65 to 64 workers.
• Ewart Aberdeen Properties Limited (previously Dominvs Project Company Limited), trading as Crowne Plaza & Holiday Inn Express Aberdeen Airport, Aberdeen City, AB21, failed to pay £23,868.72 to 76 workers.
• Magnum Care Limited, Leicester, LE1, failed to pay £22,711.44 to 174 workers.
• Charles Hurst Limited, Belfast, BT12, failed to pay £22,546.84 to 42 workers.
• Yarr Ltd (active proposal to strike off), trading as Maryland Chicken, Leicester, LE5 , failed to pay £21,089.55 to 16 workers.
• Days Bournemouth Limited - Dissolved 13 April 2021, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH1, failed to pay £18,473.51 to 9 workers.
• Clarenco LLP, Buckinghamshire, HP14, failed to pay £17,975.83 to 49 workers.
• Mitie Limited, Southwark, SE1, failed to pay £17,893.98 to 91 workers.
• Benla Limited, trading as The Best Fish and Chips, Lewes, BN10, failed to pay £17,159.85 to 1 worker.
• London General Transport Services Limited, trading as Go-Ahead London, Merton, SW19, failed to pay £16,316.91 to 101 workers.
• House of Fraser Limited (under new ownership), Bolsover, NG20, failed to pay £16,235.19 to 354 workers.
• The App Experts Limited, City of London, EC4N, failed to pay £15,317.92 to 65 workers.
• North West Transport Services Limited, Calderdale, HX6, failed to pay £14,633.31 to 5 workers.
• Kaye’s Hotels Limited, Wakefield, WF2, failed to pay £14,494.56 to 118 workers.
• UK Auto Wash Limited, Southwark, SE15, failed to pay £13,209.92 to 6 workers.
• Evans Dakota Services Limited (name changed to Dakota Hospitality Limited 1 February 2019), trading as Dakota Hotels, Leeds, LS11, failed to pay £12,413.57 to 29 workers.
• Greencore Food To Go Limited, Bolsover, S43, failed to pay £12,022.24 to 602 workers.
• Mitchell Potatoes Ltd, Rugby, CV23, failed to pay £10,682.09 to 10 workers.
• Carol Spinks Homecare Ltd, Cornwall, PL12, failed to pay £10,436.77 to 11 workers.
• Mr Abid Hussain, trading as B & H Car Services, Newham, E13, failed to pay £10,304.45 to 1 worker.
• L & M(Heating)Supplies Limited, North Northamptonshire, NN10, failed to pay £9,963.60 to 7 workers.
• B & S Healthcare Limited, Bristol, City of, BS3, failed to pay £9,866.02 to 99 workers.
• Tangerine Confectionery Group Limited, Blackpool, FY4, failed to pay £9,401.85 to 154 workers.
• Goldie Hotels (3) Limited, trading as Hallmark Hotels, Derby, DE1, failed to pay £9,335.76 to 59 workers.
• Sibford School, Cherwell, OX15, failed to pay £9,282.19 to 5 workers.