Firms named and shamed for underpaying workers

Some 30 companies in the North West are among the latest batch of UK firms to be named and shamed for paying staff below the statutory minimum.

Nationally, the firms have been ordered to pay £2m back pay as part of the Government’s scheme to name employers who have failed to pay the National Minimum and Living Wage.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy published a list of 233 businesses that underpaid workers.

As well as paying back staff the money owed, employers on the list have been fined a record £1.9m by the Government.
Retail, hairdressing and hospitality businesses were among the most prolific offenders.

Since 2013, the scheme has identified £6m back pay for 40,000 workers, with 1,200 employers fined £4m.

Business Minister Margot James said: “It is against the law to pay workers less than legal minimum wage rates, shot-changing ordinary working people and undercutting honest employers.

“Today’s naming round sends the clear message to employers that the Government will come down hard on those who break the law.”

Melissa Tatton, director of HM Revenue and Customs, said: “HMRC is committed to getting money back into the pockets of underpaid workers, and continues to crack down on employers who ignore this law.

“Those not paying working the National Minimum or Living Wage can expect to face the consequences.”

The following North West businesses are named:

Islington Accommodation Services, Blackburn: Failed to pay £14,447.82 to one worker

Anthony Kenvig, trading as Kenvig’s Hair Marriott, Preston: Failed to pay £9,698.04 to two workers.

Small Wonders Day Care Nursery (Thatto Heath), St Helens: Failed to pay £3,372.65 to 11 workers.

Edmundsons (Freightliners), Lancaster: Failed to pay £3,293 to 28 workers.

Solacrown (UK) (name changed to SCUKL 2016 Ltd) trading as Solarking when Solacrown (UK), St Helens: Failed to pay £3,227.28 to seven workers.

Sharps Media Group, Barrow-in-Furness: Failed to pay £2,946.21 to two workers.

The Unstuffy Hotel Co (previous owner), South Lakeland: Failed to pay £2,877.20 to three workers.

Hamilton Reese, Manchester: Failed to pay £2,648.88 to seven workers.

LCS Building Services, Tameside, Greater Manchester: Failed to pay £1,575.71 to two workers.

SS Pubco, trading as The Freemason’s Arms, Ribble Valley, Lancashire: Failed to pay £1,166.85 to two workers.

Abid Akram, Mohammad Kamran Akram, Zarqa Haq, Kiran Akram and Khalid Mehmood, trading as Raja Brothers, Oldam: Failed to pay £1,0371.01 to two workers.

Helpign Hands Cleaning (Lancashire), South Ribble, Lancashire: Failed to pay £1,014.08 to one worker.

Cashnext, trading as Krazy House, Liverpool: Failed to pay £1,012.29 to two workers.

Hampton Dean Construction, Cheshire: Failed to pay £893.04 to one worker.

Penrhryn Inns, trading as the White Hart, Oldham: Failed to pay £807.70 to one worker.

Stylewise (UK), Manchester: Failed to pay £768.68 to one worker.

Polebank Care Home, Tameside, Greater Manchester: Failed to pay £744.65 to seven workers.

L& K Group, South Lakeland: Failed to pay £667.95 to one worker.

Excel Hair Studio (2010) Wigan: Failed to pay £667.17 to three workers.

Amber Doran, trading as Lkpstick, Powder and Polish, Liverpool: Failed to pay £477.66 to one worker.

Anton Johnson and Lesley Hudson-Nunn, trading as Johnsons Hairdressing, Warrington: Failed to pay £460.93 to four workers.

Jorge Ramos, trading as JR’s Pet Shop, Wirral: Failed to pay £458.84 to one worker.

P Griffiths Foods, trading as McDonald’s, Wirral: Failed to pay £420.16 to 41 workers.

The Wendy House (Wirral): Failed to pay £404.38 to one worker.

Kelly Miller, trading as Kiddyclub, Cheshire: Failed to pay £317.93 to four workers.

Chester Clock Tailors, Cheshire: Failed to pay £294.45 to one worker.

Royton Cash 4 Rags (Oldham): Failed to pay £278.34 to one worker.

Il Forno, Liverpool: Failed to pay £261.83 to one worker.

Yorkcloud, trading as Lakeside Hotel & Spa, South Lakeland: Failed to pay £170.80 to one worker.